Age12

And like a

Boy waiting to

Get picked for

Sides you selected

Me before others

Beaming I stood

Next to you

Our team often

Lost that year

But the hugs

Slaps on my

Back and occasionally

Tousled hair made

Age 12 unbelievably

Bearable for both

Friend (for Dorian)

And like freshly

Received news or

Awaited letters you

Unfolded before me

Telling me secrets

And all kinds

Of things surprised

Like a child

Awakening to fresh

Snow or a

Curious dog cocking

His head I

Listened and knew

That once again

I had found

Right with you

A new friend

PresentsAndPuppies

Not surprisingly I

Am giddy with

Glee like a

Child amidst boxes

Paper and ribbon

On Christmas morn

Saturated with newness

And lovely surprise

Like an excited

Puppy my happiness

Does embarrass me

But instead of

Tail my tongue

Wags too much

Excuse my verbosity

I mean no

Harm except to

Simply say weeeeee

For you are

In my life

SchoolBus

Off you go

Many miles away

I wonder who

You will meet

And whether or

Not they’ll remind

You of me

Or will you

Pick them out

Like Dim Sum

Now I understand

What my dog

Felt when I

Disappeared behind doors

Of the schoolbus

Many years ago

ChildrenUs (to Ramón)

So we met

At long last

Two men together

As friends we

Dined and drank

Laughed and listened

Talked and wished

But all we

Were were children

Playing at beach

Trucks and bulldozers

Laying a foundation

That not even

The days tides

Could wash away

That is us

Children around each

Other simply dreaming