Here I come again, with another poem about one of the special girls of my youth. This one is my second cousin, who I didn't even know existed until I was 12 years old. She was also the only relative I can think of who was my age.

A quiet little grin,

from a simple Illinois farm girl,

we weren't that close,

we just traveled the world together.


From a warm seat

at the Shrine,

with our grandmas and mothers

safely watching.


Going from Alaska to Ireland,

Michigan to Timbuktu,

with old boozing buddies

and single girls distracted by handsome rangers.

(and hoping they're lone rangers).


You cared when I was sick,

you endured my strange ways,

you were the only relative I had

with whom I could discuss

seventh grade lit.


The years have fallen,

now I joke with your nephew,

the son of King Boo,

now just who was that?


Allison, Amanda, Jamie,

the loveliest female names,

Wendy, Patricia, Melanie...

Elaine.