Saturday, January 22, 2011

It Was My Birthday A Few Days Ago.....

I can't believe I am here.
If I were a house, I would need a new roof, new windows and plumbing.
If I were a cheese, the bloom would be a mold.
If I were a bottle of wine, no one would be able to afford me.
If I were a book, I would be collectible or out of print.
If I were a movie, I would be in black and white.
If I were a candle, I would have burned and burned and burned, out and out and out and out and out.
If I were a radio, I would be big and huge and I would be blasting out The Lone Ranger, Boston Blackie,  The Shadow, Stella Dallas, and Bull Dog Drummond, Hopalong Cassidy (sp? for all of these).
I would be able to go to the movies for eleven cents.
I would be forbidden to swim or go to the movies when during Polio Season.
If I were a dresser, a table, or a desk, there would be scratches, nicks, ink stains and a hundred memories etched in to my beautiful patina.
If I were a tree in a small village, I might be surrounded by a beautiful fence and be declared a treasure.

I am all of these things, and none of these things.
I am so amazed that I was once that little tiny girl with the small kitten:Barefoot, unaware, open to so much that was to come. Joys, sadness, flight and always coming back home.
I didn't have a smile there..too much concentration on the kitten, 
but my smile is wide now and one can take a ride on it. That wee person is still me, though like a book, my binding is cracked and the words on my spine disappear.
I am at once amazed, afraid and so very, very grateful for all that has been given to me.

best to all, e.

8 comments:

maggiegracecreates said...

Happy day. Late. I didn't know. But I do know what a difference your words make in my life. Love.

Ginnie said...

Happy Birthday, Ellen. That is an adorable picture and your words are lovely. Did you write them? I could relate to so much of what was said there.

robyn L. said...

Ellen! So happy to see you again! And happy birthday!

Ellen said...

What an incredibly beautiful and well-written poem. I'm beginning to relate...Happy Belated Birthday, Ellen.

Anonymous said...

I love that photograph of you. So precious. And wonderful words as well.

jackie said...

oh, what a delight to see little e! and happy, happy birthday to that little girl that resides within the pages of the book that is you. what a beautiful vessel you are to carry such love, gratitude, and poetry. i think somewhere (i'm such an organized person, NOT!) i have written that your birthday is in january...alas since i am a cracked vessel myself i send these belated birthday wishes to you. love & hugs as well!

Anonymous said...

Oh Ellen - I think you've told your age! You've surely touched a cord in this old heart! Belated happy, happy birthday!!

henny said...

Oh, Ellen...
happy belated birthday from me:)
My love goes to you..
Really a beautiful poem of birthday, love it!
I think I will copy and keep it in one of my folder, may I? hehe..