Gift Shop Bills: The Kid In Me Celebrates His Birthday

I woke up one year older,

Chiding the passage of time, against my will

When all at once I saw a bunch,

A host of loving gift shop bills.

In her pockets, in the cars trunk,

Fluttering and dancing as if they were drunk

I started dreaming about the gifts,

Continuous as the stars that shine,

Many and heavy, I would need a lift,

Bring them to our abode, hers and mine.

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The kids beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling kids in glee,

A poet could not be but gay,

in such a jocund company:

I gazed—and gazed—but little thought

what wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the gift shop bills.