On my 40th birthday, br I went to a book store, br Pulled a book off the shelf br Turned to page eight, and saw my name br In boldface type, over my own words. br I was happy to fork over the 11.95+tax br To buy a book with my own poems in it, br Even knowing my free copy was in the mail. br I just wanted to hold the book in my hands, br Wanted to see my own validation in print. br On my 40th birthday br I got up in front of the biggest crowd br I'd ever performed in front of, br And unloaded my soul for twenty minutes straight, br For once, so comfortable in the spotlight br The words just flowed out without struggle. br I felt the waves of love and understanding br From the audience, for once, so receptive. br The standing ovation at the end made me cry. br On my 40th birthday br One of my favorite teachers from high school br Told me he was very proud of me, br Proud of the person I'd become, br Said he always knew I'd be somebody, someday. br He bought one of my chapbooks and asked me br For my autograph, and told me to keep in touch. br On my 40th birthday, br Eight people told me they loved me br Two dozen people hugged me br Fifty people sang me Happy Birthday br One person bought me flowers br And one person let me cry on his shoulder br When I was overwhelmed by it all.