For Patrick

For my big brother's birthday, I thought to write him a poem. As I post this, I'm reminded of a New Yorker cartoon, in which Shakespeare is sitting with a very unenthusiastic-looking woman. The caption reads, "Gee thanks, another sonnet." 

For Patrick

That time at the pool party

some mean kid held me

under the water

on purpose,

I was scared,

drowning,

when you grabbed me,

swiftly pulled me up

to the air.

I remember

lying on the wet cement,

possibly after being chest-pumped,

at least coughing water,

half-dead.

You saved me.

My big brother,

the alpha sibling,

you’ve always been

looking out for me.

From my first day,

on earth

I’ve adored you.

But as my

actual hero

I still revere you.