by Ayannah Garcia

“Happy Birthday to you, you live in a zoo, you look like a monkey, 

aaaaaaand, you smell like one too.” 

—Alex from “Madagascar” 

Happy Birthday to my courageous friend

Half of the brother and sister duo that’s a perfect blend

Who watches you in awe as you ascend

And misses you more on weekends

Happy Birthday to the person who makes me laugh

Who pranks me a lot but gave me his first autograph

Who takes polaroids and photographs

Yet still wishes he had met the Hogwarts staff

Happy Birthday to the person with whom I share blood

The person who would save me from a flood

Even though I would drag you through the mud

Because you would accidentally call me a dud

Happy Birthday from a girl who loves libraries

Who shares your birth month of January 

The girl who hates peach pie but loves strawberries

And followed your footsteps which she thinks is customary

Happy Birthday to the now 20-year-old who always thinks he’s funny

The “knight in shining armor” who makes every room sunny

Who jokes a lot about drinking bottles of honey

Don’t worry, I won’t tell them you steal everyone’s money

Happy, Happy Birthday to my brother 

A person like no other

The very one who makes my day and sometimes is a bluffer

Let’s keep celebrating birthdays one after another.

About Ayannah Garcia

Ayannah Garcia is a freshman attending Richwoods High School, where she takes part in the Pre-IB program, the Royalettes dance team, and the drama club. Outside of school, she loves to dance, read, journal, travel with family, and play with her dog. In addition to these activities, she is currently a member of the Finale Group of the Greater Peoria Illinois Chapter of Jack and Jill, an organization for young African American individuals who want to serve the community, and a member of her church’s youth group.