Birthday Party
written by: Raymond Isakow
Like a flock of blind street pigeons,
The children milled around on the front lawn.
Unusually quiet and anxious, for a party,
But taking comfort in being in a group.
Edging nearer the treat-laden table,
Hands in drab grey pockets,
Fingers twitching, already tasting but not daring.
Excitement headbutting futilely
Against long-learned letdowns.
The faint smells of hot popcorn and ice cream,
Whirl around the pastel party plates
Piled with the sweets of dreams and beyond.
The gnarled oak tree in the middle of the lawn
Bare of leaves, but notched and creaking with crows.
Faceless beards squabbling for branch space.
Their beady eyes darting between the front door
And the strangely realistic clown-faced cake.
The heavy wooden front door opens
Then shuts
Sending a sudden shudder through the ‘crow’ tree,
The children around the table
Turn as one to face the doll-faced small girl
She is wearing an age-yellowed small wedding dress,
Seated at the head of the table
Behind the now sweaty-looking ‘clown face.’
A recently orphaned Pekinese pup
Puffed in the cushioned chair beside her
Tries sneaking away, but is collared.
As she places the knife delicately
To make a wish,
She sees the clown’s eyes dart to the crows
For the first time she smiles.
- Birthday Party - September 26, 2026
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