My sisters and I were always encouraged to celebrate.
For Birthdays we had a party, Mum always made us a cake.
We had birthdays in the sunshine, some birthdays in the rain
If it wasn’t what we hoped for, with luck birthdays came round again.
I remember once on bonfire night, could never quite see why
We should honour a traitor or arsonist, burning money, firing rockets to the sky?
The very most important time, that filled my heart with glee
When mother had a broody hen, she gave her eggs to sit on you see.
Mum put a calendar, marking the day when the eggs turned to chicks all ten
I crossed the days off the calendar, it took a long time, but then
I sat waiting most of the day the hen was restless and active.
The chicks came out fluffy and golden, nothing could be more attractive
Time went on. Then Mum started again, Dick eggs, taking two days longer.
Calendar marked, waiting commenced, my obsession was growing stronger.
Arrival day, the hen looked perplexed, at those wonderful ducks looking great.
Active and busy, just happy to be. THAT WAS SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE.

© Kathy McKay Sinclair