My Birthday Began

by Father

My birthday began
In the wind
And the words
From the birds
And the sun
Drank the water
From the earth's veins
And the fathers of the towering forests
And the mothers
Of the infant grass
Gave to me
Their gifts
And I took them
As love takes time
And they were mine
For as long as I cared
To share them;
But I don't even pause
To sink my claws
In her ground 
Anymore;
My birthday will end
In the wind 
The birds
And the words 
Will be gone
With the song
But the gifts
That they gave
Won't be wasted.