To Debbie
***
July is drawing to a close,
Provoking heatwaves far and near.
It’s time to have a healthy dose
Of cold and foamy Irish beer.
In any case, at any rate,
However God may wish to plan it,
You have the right to celebrate
Another year on this planet.
Another trip around the Sun
Upon a globe of rock and water.
When all is said and also done,
You did receive a holy quota –
Of days and nights, of many joys
And sorrows that are hard to bear.
The former - often of your choice,
The latter - always so unfair.
You may complain, to no avail,
Or you can take it all for granted.
But when both options seem to fail,
Rejoice and “bloom where you are planted”.
Rejoice and make the most of it,
With drinks and jokes as ammunition.
It makes no sense to sulk or quit,
For life is short, by definition.
*)