eighteen || for tristan

when I was six 

after wrestling hours 

in preschool I look for a friend and 

you'd always be there 

you're not the sweet kind but you'd play
puppets with me on the terrace of our

grandparents' house 

you taught me how to cross

the road 

I always thought that

you were some sort of a hero waiting
for its story to be untold

you'd stir up maddening emotions at times 

you have traits I don't like

but I love it when you ride your bike 

you go so fast and 

sometimes even let me go with you
when I ask

there's always a 

deeply affecting and tragic feeling

when I think about you all grown up

I wish I can turn back time

to tell you just
how much I appreciate your strength 

that you'd bend rules so you could show me
how it's like to be on the 

top of the world

maybe halfway

or not even close

you are my original best friend

you've always been so brave

now that you are in pursuit of something

greater and possibly bigger in your life 

please know that I support 

you no matter what
happy 18th