For Raina At 22

5/08 A semi-true story of a girl who lost her mom and the girl's birthday.

"Why are you leaving the cemetery?"
I asked the cashier,
noting she wasn't at her post today.
As she wiped away
the hint of a tear,
she said it was her birthday
and she wanted to say hello to her mom.
I softly placed my arm around her
and said,
"There's no reason to cry.
Every day, as she looks down upon you,
is your birthday to her."