My brother turned 50 in April, and I decided to write him a poem for part of his present. Don’t worry—I got him some tacky 50th Birthday gifts, too, to go along with this cheesy little ditty.
Kevin and I many moons ago. Judging by our faces, I’m guessing they might have startled us with a squeaky duck or something else equally ominous.
I know an old, old geezer
His birthdays more than mine by far
His foolish youth I still remember
And how he built me my first car
Now I can’t get sentimental
That just wouldn’t fly
Cuz my older brother’s
Just not that kind of guy (in public, anyway)
The Three Stooges still can make him laugh
As can Smoky and the Bandit
Buford T. Justice chasing that black Trans Am all around
The point? I’ll just never understand it
But there are many things about him
No one really knows but me
Like when we were kids at Grandma’s
We each had claimed a maple tree
His grew up a little taller
Its branches higher up the trunk
While mine housed the homemade swing
Played on ‘til the sun had sunk
Like most older brothers
He liked to aggravate
From pulling off my Barbie’s heads
To stealing goodies off my plate
I never will forget the time
He wiped boogers on my wall
His made up lyrics of victory
Ensuring I would squall
But there were times aplenty
Partners in crime were we
Sneaking peeks at our Christmas gifts
Before they appeared under the tree
Easter around 1974
Growing up I idolized this goof
Wanting to be just like him
I even tried standing up to pee
Much to my mom’s chagrin
The music in his teenage years
Influenced me as well
.38 Special, ELO and Billy Squier
And of course, “Highway to Hell”
He still likes his fancy cars
And watching Cardinals on TV
He likes drinking nasty Natural Light
And plates with roast turkey
I’m glad I have a brother
Who taught me to be tough
A guy who likes to share his beer
And on the outside seems quite gruff
But you see I know another side
As sentimental as can be
And I hope that turning 50
Is an awesome memory
Happy Birthday, Kevin!
Kevin and his kids around 2001. I like this picture of him because it shows him smiling.
The Lighthearted Dragonfly 
Comments on: "A Poem 50 Years in the Making" (2)
Too funny, but how it does sound like both of you? I shared many of those same memories with or about my brother! How strange it is to realize we weren’t the only weirdo kids… Hope Kevin appreciates this “Ode” to him!
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Wonderful tribute, Amy…He should be very proud of this.>>R<<
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