Happy Birthday

It's almost over, this day I used to forget. I never cared much for birthdays. They were just days, slipping by like any other, Nothing special, just another year older, Another day closer to the end. Until you. You made it mean something, your voice in my ear, "Happy birthday," you’d say, like it was the only thing that mattered. But you’re not here anymore. And I told everyone I’d be fine, Told them I don’t need a party, Don’t need the cake, don’t need the wishes. But here I am, at 11:59 pm, Waiting for you like a fool, like you might send me a message, like you’ll remember, like I’ll hear your voice again, even though it’s been silent for so long. It’s quiet now. Too quiet. And I hate how I’m still waiting, Hate how I keep looking at the clock, Counting down the seconds, Hate how much this day matters, Now that you’re not here to see it. Maybe next year, I’ll learn Not to wait for you. But not tonight. Not at 11:59 PM. Another minute passes. Another year without you. Happy Birthday to me, I guess.