Why We Celebrate Birthdays

by Philip Venzke

So we can meet again
under that apple tree
which we hope to plant
sometime next year

and plot the harvest
we would like to eat
and discuss blossoms
we need to breathe.

Philip Venzke grew up on a dairy farm near Colby, Wisconsin. His poetry is widely published in magazines throughout the U.S. and Europe. He is the author of four chapbooks and one book of poetry.