Elvis Presley, Jan. 8, 1935 — Aug. 16, 1977

Happy birthday, King
Wish you were still drawing breath,
Exhaling magic

Why do we recall
The end, not the beginning
When something’s over?

Yes, I do it, too
Remember deaths of Elvis,
JFK, Dad, Mom

The life of a dream
— Hero, loved one, pet, romance —
Always ends too soon

But making dreams real
Is still our hope, our work, with
Their inspiration

Their memories, lessons,
Melodies, words inform life’s
Never-ending song

Happy birthday, King
Seems the magic can live on
In each one of us