Ungatz

I don’t remember a single birthday
growing up.

There are photographs,
and there will have been things

and much love
as well as some parties with friends,

but I don’t recall one celebration.
I do for my twenty first,

a big event at the time,
and the pewter mug with

its transparent base
for looking through.

Also my fortieth
and sixtieth, more recent than

childhood, obviously, but for
other reasons.

I’d like to go back to an early birthday
and sing to myself in a foreign language

to suggest just one change.
Any would do.