a birthday!
his eightieth!
she'd have been there,
save she had died lately;
and yet in the air
a presence pervasive,
the scent of perfume
like she used to wear,
seemed to enter
the room.

a birthday!
he'd made it!
this time,  all alone.
except that her friends
and her spirit, had  come.
to honor this good man
and share the event.
his eightieth birthday
no better way
spent.