I was once serenaded
by a love of mine
who
as a boy
put frogs into
his maiden aunts' beds
and caught bats
with a net

who
as a young man
broke his back on LSD
and had to learn to walk again

who tried to rescue me
when I was in deep shock
fought for me
followed me
then
after a period of eight years
remembered my birthday

a man who always
made me feel safe
and loved
and
nearly always
made me laugh

a man who worked for the homeless
where he caught
Tuberculosis
had a stroke
and sadly died
of lung disease
all within a few years

His love of music
and spontaneous laughter
will ever be in my heart

I miss him