BIRTHDAY POEM FOR ASAD

Let this be the beginning
of something gaudy enough
to be greater, even, than God.
It is, after all, the birthday

of one who wasn't
here before his birthday.
(What cold days those
were, the ones you chose

not to be here on.)
How thankful we are
you decided to arrive.
It's not even close to when

it is when you're not here
being so absolutely only you.