Upside Down (Tay's 16th birthday)

Upside Down

My baby girl has a honed horse-sense, 

Hard to pull a fast one on

She’s a thinker having thoughts

That run weeks ahead of the speed of life.

So to catch her by surprise 

Is nigh unto impossible

For to surprise someone 

They must not be thinking ahead

And considering all the possibilities

That lie before.

She knew her 16^thbirthday was coming

She knew her sister’s had surprise parties

She knew we would do something for her

She knew she would surely see it coming.

She forsooth.  It’s what she does.

But her Machiavellian mother possesses

A foreknowledge that forsooth her foresight

And worked her genius under the covering of July

Weeks in advance of her offspring’s readied radar.

Our darling Taylor was caught off guard,

As by a fowler’s snare, jerked upside down

Hung out to dry before watchful eyes

Lying in wait to pounce on her calm arrival

Screaming “surprise” as she bent around the house corner

Leaving her stunned and hanging,

Upside down, indeed.

There is no greater joy than bringing joy to someone else.

Happiest of Birthdays, Taylor Hope Lena.