The last time we saw each other
Was it really back in 2012?
You helped me discover my strength.
Did I ever tell you that?
We walked through Budapest
early in the morning
sharing our stories
and the joyful chaos
that comes with brotherhood
You helped me rebuild my foundation
which had cracked in places
Have I mentioned that before?
We are both balding now
with wrinkles that show everything we have been through
and all that we’ve learned
I wish I had come to see you after my treatment
When I found out I would survive
I should have come to see you
before my back started to stoop
Before I became afraid
before I put others’ happiness
ahead of my own
When did you teach me to speak up?
When did I start to walk
with my shoulders squared
My eyes are looking up
Focused straight ahead?
When did you explain to me
that the pain others carry
Was it not mine to heal?
When did you show me
that my sensitivity
was a gift, but it also made me a target
for people who were hurting or felt weak?
My shoulders are still squared
My eyes are still bright, looking straight ahead, clear and direct
brother
You would be so proud
With just a word
I can turn away
those who come to me because of my sensitivity
to heal them
those wanting me to hold the weight
of their pain
How old will we be
When we meet again?
Will we look younger?
Will our wrinkles reveal more
about the lessons we’ve learned?
will they tell of living
And how did we live?
Will mine tell you about the peace
You helped bring me
The calm you brought to an old man
with squared shoulders
and confident eyes fixed straight ahead?