I remember once a birthday when I cried,
about the cheers of ragged parents
pressing hope as all the prizes lied,
I remember once a birthday when I cried,
and broke the ragged hope of those
who struggled to provide,
I remember once a birthday when I woke
to seamless jeans and pleasure spoken
and then proven by the silver tongue,
And underneath a spreading tree
that through the window took a look
and through the winter sunlight, shook.
I remember once a birthday when I woke.