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I was about to forward it—

a birthday party, streamers bright,

somebody's kid about to split

the cake. Then the song. Just right

of center in the noise. I set

the phone face-down against the tile.

Let the video run. Not yet

done playing. Not by a mile.

I heard it through the case, the grout,

the whole room doing nothing.

Kids sang. Candles. Someone's shout

of happy birthday. The song running

under all of it.

The screen stayed dark.

I haven't moved.