On my birthday this year
my family call over,
each one bearing gifts
and gushing with birthday wishes.
I am handed the gifts in turn,
all beautifully wrapped,
tagged and bowed.
I accept the offered presents
with a you really shouldn't have look.
My uncle buys me a bottle
of fancy American liquor,
I nod and thank him,
feigning delight,
while thinking,
I prefer Scottish and Irish whiskey,
and am not a fan of Kentucky bourbon.
My sister buys me a CD by the Who,
she's bought me their albums several times
over the years, it's become as much
a tradition as getting socks for Christmas.
I don't recall ever telling her
I like the band.
I force a polite smile on my face
and enthuse about
how each gift is just perfect
how I love it.
How did you know?
I ask, while thinking,
do you not know
me at all?
When the family have left
and I have washed out
the mugs and glasses,
I turn to the random pile
of presents.
I pour out a measure of
the American bourbon
and put the CD in the player.
As the rock band kick in
I sniff the liquor with suspicion.
The Who album
turns out to be a classic
live LP of the band in their prime.
I sip the bourbon warily
and as it wonderfully burns my throat,
I can't help thinking,
how have I never tried this before?
When my family were leaving
the gifts had seemed
perfect presents
for somebody else,
it was only afterwards
that it dawned on me,
they know me better
than I know myself.
-
Author:
Tom C Dylan (
Offline) - Published: March 27th, 2024 08:08
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 12
- User favorite of this poem: Doggerel Dave.
Offline)
Comments6
It's beautiful peaceful and slightly sad at the same time
Thanks a lot for your comments, Alan. It's coming up to my birthday and it gave me the idea for this poem. My sister has really bought me the Who greatest hits on more than one occasion. 🙂
Phew! Glad they never got out the family holiday photo album as a 'treat' and bored you for 3 hours! lol.
Woah, is that a thing? Geez, I feel like I've been spared something there! 🙂
Yes lol. Endless photos of people and places we don't want to see! lol.
Superb work. Very cool. I love the Who
Thanks a lot, Thomas. Really appreciated. And yeah, the Who are brilliant. I just don't recall ever telling my sister I am a fan. 🙂
Was the Who Album, "The Who Live at Leeds?" I have that album. It was probably her favorite album too, so she wanted you to have your own. Great write Tom. 🎼🎵🎶🎵
Thanks a lot, AP. To be honest over the years, my sister has bought me most of their albums, including their greatest hits and the BBC sessions. I still can't recall telling her I'm a fan. 🙂
Tommy, Who's Next and Quadrapheinia were my favs. 😁🎼🎶🎵
2 more comments
Ah Tom - family dynamics and your own internal ambivalence thrown together in one interesting and amusing piece I really liked. Thanks.
Thanks a lot, Dave. Really appreciated. 🙂
I love the positive ending here after a shaky birthday start. I hope you had a lovely day. Your poem made me smile Tom. All’s well that ends well.
Thanks, Cassie. Really appreciated. I often find that is family or friend gives me a gift that first seems a bit random, it usually is something I am thrilled with later on. 🙂
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