Dedicated to Derrick;
A Great Man, Brother, Son, and Friend
(9/29/1993 - 8/28/2018)


Fly, dear friend,
For you have earned the wings on your back,
Every ounce of the love you had, was the love you gave,

Fly, dear friend,
So beautiful, as you dance gracefully with the clouds,
For your shadow protects me from the fire of the sun,

Fly, dear friend,
Can you see? All of these people came for you,
The warm touch from your heart has sheltered us in this cold world,

Fly, dear friend,
I love you — I miss you; I’m happy you’re free,
Your voice and your laughter, I shan’t ever forget,

Fly, dear friend,
For you have earned those large wings,
Still, sometimes I wish that you never left me.


- Brendon S. Sawyer
(2019)