Birthday Girl

by Heather Ann Schmidt

On the day I turned 30,
we stopped at a pub
along the River Dee--
and drank cider
and observed the world,

Wales at sunset--

your hand held mine,
leading me to the edge of the valley

Earth moving--

On the way back,
we had to stop
because sheep had gathered
across the highway

heather
bloomed in late August
up to where we stood,

and our daughter
turned inside me,
her heart against my ribs.