My cousin was a sturdy fragile boy,
sun-sensitive and dad-less in LA,
who often visited. Then he’d enjoy
our walks-and-talks, and time my father made
for him – we welcomed him with love and board –
we corresponded when apart by mail.
The elders worried what we tended toward,
but tries to shut us up were found to fail.

We grew apart, in fact – we had full lives.
He never gave up exercise or thought.
Persistent he experienced three wives
before he settled down. He sired daught-
ers and a son; he leaves three progeny.
I think he was the man he meant to be.