The Birthday of the Universe
             By Vikram Madan

Launch your rocket, saucer, spaceship
 Time has come to make a space-trip
  Time has come for us to space-zip…
   To the Birthday of the Universe

From across light-years of distance
 All are flocking with persistence
  To the heart of all existence…
   To the Birthday of the Universe

Out there is a stellar shindig
 It’s a once-a-billion-year gig
  This party shall make you grin-big…
   It's the Birthday of the Universe

Ships arriving, disembarking
 Fender-benders cause some sparking
  Those who’re late won’t find much parking…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Slimy, scaly, feathered, furry
 Some guests dawdle, others hurry
  Some smell nice, some smell like curry…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Some are big, some huge, some tiny
 Some are dull, some smooth and shiny
  Most are happy, some are whiny…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Old friends mingle, hale and hearty
 Snacks are yummy, décor’s arty
  What an out-of-this-world party! …
   It's the Birthday of the Universe

For amusement, there’s a sideshow
 Clowns on stilts, bagpipers in tow
  Miming mimes on silent tiptoe…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Snake charmers and turbaned psychics
 Hypnotists and acrobatics
  Magicians with unearthly tricks…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Jesters playing mischievous pranks
 Weird and horrid creatures in tanks
  Buy one at the gift shop? No thanks! …
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Tables full of fantastic food
 Squirmy fresh or baked or well-stewed
  If you wish, they’ll serve it well-chewed…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Some, who’re always rude and greedy
 Gobble gobs of food too speedy
  Tummies hurting, eyes all beady…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Games are starting, take your places
 Zero-Gee and nine-legged races
  Don’t forget to tie your laces…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Scramble in the scavenger hunt
 Push and jostle to be in front
  Grab and grin – or grumble and grunt! …
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Bumper-Saucers bumping with force
 Rocket-racing at the space-course
  Viewers cheer until they’re too hoarse…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Band is ready, music’s starting
 Clear the dance floor! - Crowds are parting
  Quick! The conga-train’s departing! ...
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Beat is pounding, drums are drumming
 Horns are blowing, strings are strumming
  Singing, chanting, crooning, humming….
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Swinging, jiving, waltz and fox trot
 There’s a rock-and-rolling hot spot
  Time for disco (or perhaps not!)…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Fever’s spreading, fast as light now
 Such a wild and festive sight now
  They’ll be dancing through the night now…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Sky lights up with flash and thunder
 Comets soaring, over, under
  Cosmic climax full of wonder…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Pulsars pulse and quasars glimmer
 Curtains of auroras shimmer
  Supernovae burst and simmer…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Galaxies are spinning, swirling
 Moons and planets twisting, twirling
  Shooting stars go whizzing, whirling…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Even though, by now, they’re tired
 Everyone stands awe-inspired
  One last firework is fired…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Last call for the time-machine now
 Go relive your favored scene now
 (Start or end or in-between now)…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Fun is over, food is all gone
 Time to wrap up – it’s almost dawn
  Wake those snoozing out on the lawn…
   At the Birthday of the Universe

Friends are bidding farewell with tears
 Few last hurrahs followed by cheers
  See you soon (in one billion years)…
   At the NEXT Birthday of the Universe

***