It is late afternoon
this first day of winter -
electric cold and amber warm.
Long shadows dapple
and the light twinkles.

It is your morning,
your first of summer morning,
your birthday morning -
dear Tara McHale.

Your compassion and tenderness
have lifted my spirit
time and time again.

Your pain and tears
have touched me
beyond words.

Your poems
reveal your life -
with honesty and charm.

Your comments
seduce without flattery
and inspire me to write.

Your hundreds of messages
are always 'interesting'
and often make my day.

The last year's soap opera
has challenged you -
demanded monumental courage

and patience from you,
but now you've turned the corner
and sweet love beckons...

Dear Tara,
poet princess,
spiritual child,
Have a Happy, Happy Birthday.

Alison Cassidy

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-strictly-not-a-poem-birthday-greeting-for-tara/