Backwards Down the Number Line

by Tom Marshall

Happy happy, oh my friend
Blow out candles once again
Leave the presents all inside
Take my hand and let's take a ride
Backwards down the number line
You were eight and I was nine
Do you know what happened then?
Do you know why we're still friends?

Laughing all these many years
We've pushed through hardships, tasted tears
We made a promise, one to keep
I can still recite it in my sleep
Every time a birthday comes
Call your friend and sing a song
Or whisper it into his ears
Or write it down; just don't miss a year

You decide what it contains
How long it goes, but this remains
The only rule is it begins
Happy happy, oh my friend
And all my friends come
Backwards down the number line