This is to you

This is to you 

This is to you, 

you know who you are

Christopher Michael, 

now where do I start?

You’ve written a lotta rhymes 

over the years

They talked about all the pain, 

struggles and tears.

You talked about the abuse, misuse 

and even being locked in our rooms.

And also about how our childhood 

ended too soon

Most focused on the negative, 

you often saw only bad

So now let’s take a moment to reflect 

on all the good times we had

We had jokes, 

inside and out

That only we would get 

and laugh about

Even now, 

there are still those things

But I’m the only one laughing, 

and that kind of stings

Anyway, enough about that, 

let’s get on with our list

And talk about all the things 

that made us Terry and Chris

My memories start in Centralia, 

with Latona and “B” street

And of all the friends we had 

and would meet

Scotty, Howie, 

even the Wards

I remember the river, and train tracks 

and sticks used as swords

Then on to Chehalis, 

a new place, a new school

Dad lived down the street for a while, 

and that was cool

We’d see him on the weekend 

for church and action flicks

Then we’d act them out, 

complete with all the punches and kicks

Then other things about Chehalis 

that were never wrong

I’ll just go through a few 

so the list doesn’t get too long

There was pepper, 

our first and only dog

And the stump 

that looked like a frog

There were hills to climb 

and adventures to be had

John was there, 

but it wasn’t all bad

We had “Rummy”, “Sorry” 

and zombie wombat

And let’s not forget 

about Tigger the cat

Then in Salem, at Grandma’s; 

the dirt hole was the spot

Or the woods at the Wright’s; 

or even the Rainier lot

We’d play with our toys, 

each one with its own backstory

Or later, video games, and Tactics 

and all of its glory

Even in the worst of times 

and in the darkest places

We still had things 

that would bring smiles to our faces

There were youth camps; 

Tapawingo, Bethel, even Metzler Park

Lots of fun in the day 

and your talking kept us up after dark

And there was the summer 

when you first began to rhyme

You met a girl who stole your heart 

and filled your mind

She was all you’d think and write about 

at that time

Then, as always, things changed 

and time went on

Even still, 

we were singing the same song

Each time together 

was like we had never been apart

We’d pick up where we left off 

never having an awkward start

Everything that happened 

brought a reference from a TV show

Usually Simpsons, or Friends; 

something only you would know

Then there were movies, 

with quotes we’d both share

“’So you’re nobody.’ ‘Shhh! Don’t tell anyone.’” 

Was always in there

“You’re not a gnat, are you bug?” 

or “How you doin’?”

Were a couple 

that we often threw in

And “These are pretty good cigarettes” 

was often used in fun

This came from a movie 

you placed at number one

So many times and memories. 

So many things I wish you could see

At least I know you are in peace, 

so I’ll rest at ease

And know we’ll meet again 

in heaven one day

But to hold us over until then, 

I will say

This is to you, 

you know who you are

Christopher Michael, 

You’ll always be in my heart.