O at the Edges

Musings on poetry, language, perception, numbers, food, and anything else that slips through the cracks.

Celebration 6

Posted on October 30, 2023 by robert okaji

Snoopy

6

Today is my birthday. Six months ago I did not think I’d see this day. But here I am, celebrating Stephanie’s smile, the morning’s first sip of coffee, snowflakes (just a few, but hey!), modern science, the wisdom of Snoopy, friendship, love, and yes, my continuing existence. I am a lucky man.

Prayer

Death does not choose you at random
but approaches at your pace, rumbling
downhill or floating in the air,
debris or dandelion fluff,
concealed yet evident.
Listen: a small cloud bumps another,
merging into one larger being —
can you hear its ecstasies?
All the world’s souls, gathered.

“Prayer” was first published in Soul-Lit.

79 thoughts on “Celebration 6”

Bob Shepherd on October 30, 2023 at 2:13 pm said:

Happy birthday, Robert. And much love to you and yours! xoxoxxo

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 2:15 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Bob! It’s been a superb day, with more to come. 😀
  
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  - Bob Shepherd on October 30, 2023 at 2:17 pm said:
    
    Pleased to hear this, Robert.
    
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    - robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 3:51 pm said:
      
      Thanks again, Bob!
      
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Ellen Hawley on October 30, 2023 at 2:25 pm said:

The world is a richer place with you in it.

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 3:53 pm said:
  
  Ah, thank you Ellen. It feels good to still be here, able to do!
  
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CJ on October 30, 2023 at 2:30 pm said:

Happiest of Birthdays dear friend!!!! Enjoy every moment- celebrate 🍾 Salute’

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 3:54 pm said:
  
  I am enjoying every single moment! Thank you.
  
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philsblog01 on October 30, 2023 at 2:32 pm said:

Happy Birthday Robert! Best wishes always!

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 3:55 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Phil. Much appreciated.
  
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beth on October 30, 2023 at 3:09 pm said:

Happy birthday and good that you are here

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 3:56 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, Beth. I am enjoying this day.
  
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merrildsmith on October 30, 2023 at 3:15 pm said:

Happy Birthday! A very special one indeed. Sending heart-filled wishes to you and yours.

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 3:57 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, Merril. This has been a very good day, indeed.
  
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  - merrildsmith on October 31, 2023 at 11:44 am said:
    
    You’re very welcome, Robert!
    
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Barbara Huntington on October 30, 2023 at 3:22 pm said:

Happy Birthday. I imagine there are a few survivors here. I’ve grown hair back faster than energy, but have resumed class in poetry at SDSU (a 77 year old among the youth!)

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 4:00 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Barbara. My hair has mostly grown back, but I’ve decided to go with the buzz cut, as it’s so much easier to deal with, and I don’t want to waste any time these days. The poetry class is lucky to have you!
  
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  - Barbara Huntington on October 30, 2023 at 4:00 pm said:
    
    Snd we are lucky to have you
    
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Angie K Walker on October 30, 2023 at 3:28 pm said:

🐼 Happy Birthday !

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 4:00 pm said:
  
  Thank you!
  
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Reestablished and Relieved on October 30, 2023 at 3:46 pm said:

Good birthday to you. Enjoy!

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 4:01 pm said:
  
  Thank you! It’s been a lovely day. I particularly enjoyed seeing a handful of snowflakes early on.
  
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alisonmcghee on October 30, 2023 at 4:36 pm said:

Happy, happy birthday, Robert. I’m lucky to know you! I hope it’s a beautiful day.

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 5:13 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, Alison. Likewise!
  
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marianpenman on October 30, 2023 at 5:46 pm said:

Happy(belated) birthday Robert! My birthday is also 30 October! I have been enjoying your beautiful poetry for many years, and am glad that you are able to menage your health issues with such positivity. Keep on inspiring the world!

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 6:05 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Marian. It’s still the 30th here, so happy birthday to you!
  
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  - marianpenman on October 30, 2023 at 6:06 pm said:
    
    Thanks Robert 😊
    
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Andrew McDowell on October 30, 2023 at 5:49 pm said:

Happy Birthday!

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 6:06 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Andrew!
  
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  - Andrew McDowell on October 31, 2023 at 5:40 pm said:
    
    You’re welcome, Robert.
    
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Liz Gauffreau on October 30, 2023 at 5:53 pm said:

Happy birthday, Bob. I love your poem. It carries much comfort.

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 6:07 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Liz. The poem seemed appropriate to this particular day.
  
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  - Liz Gauffreau on October 30, 2023 at 6:34 pm said:
    
    You’re welcome, Bob.
    
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stephanielharper on October 30, 2023 at 6:02 pm said:

You are magnificent, my love! Je t’adore beaucoup!

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 6:09 pm said:
  
  You are my gravity, and my wind. My home, and my cake maker!
  
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Ken Gierke / rivrvlogr on October 30, 2023 at 6:35 pm said:

Happy Birthday, Bob. I’m sure the corvids are right outside your window, celebrating.

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 8:04 pm said:
  
  They’re subtle, today, but I’m sure they’re watching over us.
  
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memadtwo on October 30, 2023 at 8:05 pm said:

Happy Birthday! I celebrate with you from afar–all of us, gathered. (K)

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 8:10 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Kerfe. It would be a wondrous gathering!
  
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  - memadtwo on October 31, 2023 at 8:34 am said:
    
    Yes it would.
    
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10000hoursleft on October 30, 2023 at 9:29 pm said:

Happy Birthday, Bob. Much to celebrate ❣️

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 9:31 pm said:
  
  Much indeed, Mek. Thank you!
  
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sdtp33 on October 30, 2023 at 10:55 pm said:

Happy Birthday Bob!

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2023 at 10:56 pm said:
  
  Thank you. It’s been a good day!
  
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trE on October 30, 2023 at 11:17 pm said:

Well now! Happy Birthday! One of my closest friends has a birthday today, too! I hope you’ve enjoyed every moment of it!

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- robert okaji on October 31, 2023 at 8:03 am said:
  
  Thanks, Tre! The day was fabulous.
  
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  - trE on October 31, 2023 at 8:04 am said:
    
    You’re most welcome!
    
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splitspeak on October 31, 2023 at 3:06 am said:

Happy Blissful Birthday

Love, Mehak

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- robert okaji on October 31, 2023 at 8:04 am said:
  
  It was a blissful day, indeed. Thank you.
  
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derrickjknight on October 31, 2023 at 5:06 am said:

Congratulations on reaching the day and the poem

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- robert okaji on October 31, 2023 at 8:05 am said:
  
  Thanks, Derrick. I’ve already set my sights on the next one!
  
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  - derrickjknight on October 31, 2023 at 9:56 am said:
    
    🙂
    
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Razz n Roze on October 31, 2023 at 5:11 am said:

Happy Bday to you happy Bday to you.
And that is all the words I know to the song.
However I wish you to have a most fantastic fun filled day.

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- robert okaji on October 31, 2023 at 8:05 am said:
  
  Thank you!
  
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zdunno03 on October 31, 2023 at 8:01 am said:

Happy Birthday, Robert. Glad you made it to this one and hopefully you’ll see more.

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- robert okaji on October 31, 2023 at 8:07 am said:
  
  Thank you, Leonard. One day at a time, and all that. I’m grateful for each one!
  
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  - zdunno03 on November 1, 2023 at 12:34 am said:
    
    That’s the right attitude, Robert.
    
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Cate on October 31, 2023 at 11:20 am said:

Memorable poem; memorable birthday. Happy Belated, Bob!

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- robert okaji on October 31, 2023 at 8:09 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Dear Cate!
  
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crow on October 31, 2023 at 12:53 pm said:

Congratulations on your solar revolution!

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- robert okaji on October 31, 2023 at 8:11 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Charles. I’m still spinning!
  
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Jilanne Hoffmann on October 31, 2023 at 2:09 pm said:

Happiest of birthdays!

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- robert okaji on October 31, 2023 at 8:12 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Jilanne!
  
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Aud on October 31, 2023 at 6:31 pm said:

Lovely, lovely. What a beautiful day for you, to see it arrive 🥹 💖

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- robert okaji on October 31, 2023 at 8:13 pm said:
  
  It was lovely, indeed. Thank you!
  
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memadtwo on November 1, 2023 at 6:43 am said:

I’m still hoping for a scarecrow book…

November 2023

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- robert okaji on November 8, 2023 at 5:43 pm said:
  
  One never knows…
  
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  - memadtwo on November 8, 2023 at 9:29 pm said:
    
    fingers crossed
    
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Jazz Jaeschke on November 2, 2023 at 4:11 pm said:

Congratulations on a number of levels, Bob! Another birthday, current health, good spirits (your own and those of your beautiful wife!) – thanks for sharing!

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- robert okaji on November 8, 2023 at 5:50 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Jazz. Yes, every birthday is precious. Just back from a whirlwind trip to Texas—spent time with my sister, as well as my sisters by other mothers. We ate some Salt Lick barbecue, too, the brisket of which was a revelation to Stephanie. 😁 Much fun, and exhausting. Much needed, too.
  
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  - Jazz Jaeschke on November 9, 2023 at 12:12 pm said:
    
    Wonderful you’ve come ’round to traveling a bit again – hope you’ll come back again for more brisket – more visiting.
    
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    - robert okaji on November 9, 2023 at 9:20 pm said:
      
      That is the goal!
      
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Aji on November 4, 2023 at 6:31 am said:

Happy belated birthday, Bob. I hope you’re keeping well. I’m glad to read your post and I hope to read more. Stay blessed. 🤗

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Frank Hudson on November 5, 2023 at 4:57 pm said:

Glad you’re here and sharing your work. Any day, any year, that’s good. Thinking of you some time each week.

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- robert okaji on November 8, 2023 at 5:53 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Frank, for your presence, and for your generosity.
  
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ダニエル・シュネー on November 12, 2023 at 3:13 am said:

Keep on being alive. The world is better that way…

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- robert okaji on November 12, 2023 at 12:57 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Daniel. I am enjoying my days to the best of my ability.
  
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  - ダニエル・シュネー on November 25, 2023 at 9:36 pm said:
    
    And I am living my days by drinking Sapporo Draft boilermakers (add a shot of Jim Beam Black)… and listening to the new official release of the board tape of Jimi Hendrix’s 1967 Hollywood Bowl performance. That man practically tore a hole in space/time with that Strat of his…
    
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    - robert okaji on November 26, 2023 at 8:27 pm said:
      
      Ah, Jimi! I don’t drink boilermakers these days, but I might sip a little cognac this cold evening.
      
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