Once upon a lifetime ago
In a world not far enough away
We chose a birthday bonsai for her
That painted guilt across your heart and face
That became the last breath for us
And the birth and growth of her space
Today you left a gift for me
Outside my door a birthday bonsai tree
With silent words painted on its side
No good luck wishes or all-my-love this year
Deliberate or not but cruel the knife’s twist
My heart your death, my death her heart
© Leonie Vorster 2011
