Happy birthday late, and also ever!
All your days be blessed with love and peace!
Please forgive my lateness, and endeavor
Patiently to grant me my release.
Years come and go; our friendship will increase.

Birthdays are like maps or clocks or signs:
In them we see an order more profound.
Reality lies deeper than our lines:
Time ticks as quarks and galaxies go round.

However arbitrary they may be,
Dates mark measures in the march of fate;
And since I'd like to see your destiny,
You can be sure next year I won't be late!