For Brandt

I liked him immediately.                                

Refreshingly bombastic

In a world more and more inclined

To velleities, you always knew

                                    Where Brandt stood.

                                    That first time it seemed we were

                                    Picking up the thread of a conversation

                                    We’d been having our whole lives

                                    And couldn’t wait to continue;

                                    Midstream I felt I needed to say something

                                    If only to acknowledge I was listening

                                    But realized it wasn’t necessary

                                    That I was content to hear him out,

                                    That I enjoyed merely being in the same space as he,

                                    That though he knew many things I didn’t,

And we were complementary minds,

There was never any need to get in the last word,

Which was a blessing, because

I never said goodbye,

Knowing we’d pick right up where we let off 

When next we see each other.