Happy Birthday, Darling

The following is a poem written by one of my dearest friends, Mona, for her husband. I've stolen it to repost as an ode to Brent on his 31st birthday. Happy Birthday, my darling, I love you the very best.

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Come, my dearest

lover, brother, friend,

and let me look up at you.

When did you become

an ode to manhood,

a spectacle of

masculinity,

respected

by those

you serve,

those you lead,

those you work with, those you love.

When did you gain

the confidence of kindness,

of wisdom, of accomplishment…

rooting a soul so big...you've become

a sanctuary of shade,

the keeper of clouds,

a dream maker

with branches

strong enough for many to rest upon.

Let me look up at you!

Your gentle power spreads an aura

of love, sincerity, and reassurance

that life can grow men

solid enough,

giant enough,

to deserve

the title

tall enough:

"Husband and Father”.