By Miguel Velasquez

July 27,2021

You asked me

"Where are you?” and

"Where do you live at?"

1 don't like to lie.

So of course,

1 went around the question.

"1 live over the mountains.

By the ocean, 14 hours away."

"Do you live in a lighthouse?”

"You can say that, there’s

A bright light and a tower.”

All of your questions are valid

And 1 will always listen.

You’re my nephew and now.

My best friend.

1 see my younger self

In your questions

1 would ask your grandma

"Where’s my dad?”

"He’s in the sky.”

"Does he fly airplanes?”

"No son, he’s with God,

he’s watching over you.”

Death and prison.

Two things children can’t comprehend

Like teaching them calculus.

The only thing they understand

Is presence, or lack thereof. |

The temptation is |

To make me your hero i

But time will only bring

Disappointment,

Like no one showing up to your game.

The grand image, j

Evolves into something realistic.

My "lighthouse," a prison, |

My lessons, examples 1 never followed

The cape becomes

State blues,

The mask falls and

I’m just a criminal. |

But for now.

I'm your best friend.

Your sounding board.

Your cheerleader, i

Someone to trust

Someone you talk to (

About building things and

Your joy in running, j

And whatever else, j

"Sy”

, if you’re going to build.

Become a master of foundations.

So that you’ll build *

As high as you wish j

Continue training for stamina

So that life's race ,

Will never wear you dowp.

And know, your best friend

Is here always. |