Birthday

Twilight of the Don

By: Charles Giuliano - Apr 25, 2015

Birthday

Surgeon’s last celebration
Gravely ill
Bravely facing it
First of September
Turning eighty
Also celebrating hers
Troubled granddaughter
Seasonal illness
Summer becomes fall
When others
Return to work and school
No more easy days
On the beach
He so proud and controlling
Had no power over her
Spinning out of control
Chronic headaches
Dominating the room
Passively from the couch
Stoic at the head of the table
Where once he ruled
Family gathered
Doomed celebration
Candles on the cake
Gathering last breath
She smashed it
Frosting on fist
Wrestled
Held down
Screaming in rage
He rigid and silent
Dead by New Year