How I Celebrate

They are more like quiet flowers, really,

my celebrations now. They unfurl softly -

more like small gifts of gentleness

than huge horse-heart triumphs.

I don’t want to come in first. I want

to reach the end of a day without tears,

to see my friends again and hug them,

to feel depression lift like tiredness

after a nap. This is how I celebrate,

these days: a slow smile for each coffee

finished, each hope nourished, each small

joy.