Next Year On My Birthday

Next year on my birthday remind me to tell you
about the time I picked up
the Daily News and the headline read
No Bad News Today.

Next year on my birthday remind me to tell you
how I found a painting signed "Vincent" in the attic
and sold it to a passing junk dealer
for the price of a meal.

Next year on my birthday remind me to tell you
about the 2am I stood on a street corner
and watched an elephant appear from a hole in the river,
give me the wisdom in one sad eye,
then lift me onto her back.

How I waved at the gaping crowd
as we paraded west,
disappearing into a garden.

Next year on my birthday remind me to tell you
about the time I spent the last dollar in my wallet
and bought the winning lottery ticket,
and on my way to collect the winnings
the wind snatched it from my hands.

I watched it blow away and laughed
with the taste of ashes in my mouth
and didn't chase it.