Tracy
McPherson, US
The
Last Saturday in October
The last
Saturday in October
some sort of redneck High Holy Day
opening day of deer season
this child's birthday
Gramma took me to the City
we went shopping at the Bon Marche
I picked out a Madame Alexander doll
I got to pick out a new dress and shoes too
all by myself
then gramma and the shopper was entertained
a movie and the grandest adventure of all
lunch somewhere in the catacombs of the Pike
Indeed, the Pike Street Market
I remember my first birthday cake
I was seven
My aunt Thelma and Uncle Lyle came to visit
they brought gifts and the cake with my name on it.
I didn't know what to do, I was surprised and shy
as always the rest of the family was deer hunting
my big fear was that I would do something wrong
and be in trouble when my step-mother returned.
I walked around the table looking at the cake
knowing there would be candles
I would have to blow them out and make a wish
I wished I would never have to tell anyone what I wished
so they could never take it away from me
