it is here, it is here
the day of my origin has arrived in full
i am now grown another full year
i am leaving awful twenty-two behind


thanks to my friends who are dear
both in the physical and in such places as this
for you are strengths for living
and life breath which sustains me


i shall progress through life, i guess
and with purpose shall i walk
for i despair in aimless wander
but delight in the peace of providence


it is here, it is here, it will be gone tomorrow
this time shall pass and time will move on with haste
but my memory, these words, these people, loved ones
preserved in the archives of passing moments for eternity


it shall be a happy birthday indeed