how lucky for me
to be your cousin––
an ocean away,
perhaps,
but part of die ganze
verwandtschaft.
now, you’re 50
& i’m 63.
i think you’re
beautiful––
heart & soul,
you’re beautiful.
from the first
moment i saw you––
when i was 22 &
you were 8––
i knew you were very
beautiful.
beyond being your
brother in blood,
please know
i will always be your
friend.
you are a person
i believe in––
someone who knows
how to laugh,
how to be honest,
how to be kind,
how to think,
how to garden,
how to be funny,
how to always be a
spitzbub.
you are the best possible
human being––
one-of-a-kind––
truly
in love with the world––
in love with loving.
today i will laugh
& open my heart
in your
honor––
& the whole laughing
universe will open
its gigantic heart
too.