Flickering Candles
When I was growing up, our family always held birthday celebrations; simple affairs with my parents and sisters, and, occasionally when I was younger, with my grandparents. Birthday cakes were present, of course, and our tradition was to have an extra candle on the cake. “One to grow on.” Another tradition was to have the birthday celebrant cut the the first slice into the cake and have the knife removed by the person with the next birthday, as a measure of good luck.
I may not place much significance on birthdays of my own as milestones, but I’ve always enjoyed celebrating a birthday with family and friends. A photo from 1958 is proof of that. It has one very pleased little boy who just blew out the candles on his cake.
flickering candles
give warm feelings all around
frosting on windows
This is my response to Haibun Monday: Birthday,
the prompt from Kim at dVerse Poets Pub.
Also shared with Colleen’s 2020 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday
#Poetry Challenge No. 189, #Poet’sChoice
rivrvlogr 
Such wonderful memories for you, Ken. What a cutie!
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Thank you, Lisa. 🙂
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You’re welcome.
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Sure brings back similar memories!
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😀
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Those must have been some neat memories to reflect on. As well, that sounds like a very interesting and unique tradition. I never heard of it!
Beautiful haiku; I can feel that warmth through your words.
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Thank you, Lucy. Special times.
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ThT is one cute and happy boy. I love candles and a birthday cake without candles wouldn’t be the same for any child. Never heard of the extra one for growth but like the idea.
Your Haiku goes great with this endearing story, a story where love reins.
Miriam
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Thank you, Miriam. My mom always sliced the cake perpendicular to that first cut, so the birthday boy always got a birthday share of icing on his slice.
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Beautiful haiku–and adorable photo, Ken! Nice traditions and lovely memories.
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🙂 Thank you, Merril.
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You made me smile Ken. (K)
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Mission accomplished! 😉
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A lovely, nostalgic poem, Ken.
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Thank you. 🙂
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Good memories 😊.
Pat
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Yes. 🙂
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I love your photo, Ken! What a brilliant idea your parent’s had to add the extra candle to grow on and the additional hand in cutting the cake. Those traditions are still important today and made us who we are. Brilliant work. I loved this! ❤
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Thank you, Colleen. I’d scanned that photo years ago and came upon it when I saw the prompt. That woke a few memories.
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Very sweet, memories Ken.
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Pingback: Word Craft ~ Prose & PoetryWEEKLY POETRY CHALLENGE STARS | Poet’s Choice #189
sweet – cake, pen both ~
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🙂 Thank you. The memory certainly made me smile.
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Love the picture of you! Sweet expression. 🙂 And this post brings back memories of those days – our simple birthday celebrations were the best!
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Yes, they were! Thank you, Betty.
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