Not a Birthday but a Deathday Party

The indigent days beg me
to pay my obligations—
my debts to existence—
while I can still assure
myself of temperature by
the cricket’s chirp, noon
by a tree’s shadow, and wind
direction with a moist finger.
Payment by birthdays gives me
credit though no machine yet
known can compute their number.
I know it is the business of
the future to be dangerous
and the cakes whose candles
I blew out with a wish
prove my adventures. And since
celebrations inspire me
by their occasion I will
commemorate my last payment
to time with a deathday party.
All my friends and relatives
are welcome to wish me a
Happy Passing and I will
respond to their salute with
my hope to ‘‘See you all later.’’