it was his twelfth birthday

his parents threw a party

family and friends attended

there was food a plenty

he opened his presents

party games followed 

music and dancing

lots of laughter and fun

tit was time for the birthday cake

candles spelled out his age

everybody gathered around

as the candles were lit

the happy birthday song

was sung by all

he looked around the room

young smiling faces lit up by candle light

it was time to make his birthday wish

he closed his eyes tightly

I am tired of being a boy he thought

I wish I was a fully grown man

he blew out the candles

cheers rang out

he held his eyes closed longer

repeating his wish to himself

as he opened his eyes

the candles were still smoking

but the numbers had changed

it now said forty two

he looked around the room

all his young friends were gone

older faces he did not know

this was not a dream

he saw a boy across the room

who looked exactly like himself

the boy hugged him and said

happy birthday dad