Happy Birthday

Telré to Christina&, 7/4/2000

You were wrong, 
Didn't you think that would be enough cause for celebration? 
Turn up the cup and drown in elation? 
How do you celebrate your life after 16 years in the shadow of death? 
I may see my kids grow up 
I may live to fall in love again, 
I may live a day to feel more pain 
To feel--
I can let myself feel.  
   I can let myself feel.  
I can rise from the cocoon of the deaths head moth and fly to 
               the light of what I might yet be.  
I can dance on the flame--
   I can find a new name.  
I don't need to bleed in that particular bucket of restraint again.
I own it, my life, my lives, 
No more a prisoner of my adolescence.  
I can claim freedom.  
I can throw back my head and laugh without restraint 
Cry til I faint,
Live the truth or lie laughing 
Instead of dying inside...
I can cram the rest of my life into the rest of my life...
And relax...
I have one more moment--
   You have one more moment.  
One more moment...to enjoy, if you can.  
If you can relax one more moment.  
   The waiting is over.