Word Play

On this your birthday
i can only say,
i miss you, lady
i miss you, friend
how could you have gone so soon?
before us all without a word?
makes me wonder about living more
makes me long for deeper dreams
Where you’d laugh and conjure plans
To paint the town in that red Chevette
that dusty vinyl collection at the roller rink
Broadway’s best at the piano seat
Remember, I will always be
the one who thought that
you were the smartest girl
I ever knew
And loved your sass
your laughter, too.
Happy Birthday, Barbara, dear,
good tears flow with thoughts of you.
Let your spirit tarry near.