September is balloons and streamers
for both our girl’s birthdays.
September is autumn,
golden leaves and conkers.
September is a new school year,
end of summer holidays.
September is birthdays,
presents and cake.
September is parties, going out,
friends and sleepovers.
But this year it’s different
away from our girls.
Posting cards and gifts,
transferring money to accounts.
Messages, emails, phone calls,
Facebook chat and FaceTime.
This year they are celebrating
with boyfriend, husband.
Not with us, their parents.
They are happy,
celebrating their own way.
But no balloons or streamers
in our place.
No caterpillar cake here.