Still odd to realize he is 6’2″
and to notice a few white strands in his hair.
By day, he is a bookstore manager, a promoter
of writers and their books, a team leader,
a personal literary curator
for many. In other words, a heavy lifter.
His own book collection populates
every room in the house and on a weekly basis
his thank-you notes liven up 
a score of mailboxes.
By night, he goes to ball games with his father

and bonds at comedy shows with his mother
and checks in with his sister when she needs
a sibling’s attention. His intention is to increase
our social capital with news of the outside world
and to introduce us to snacks
like eggs in a nest and sleeping bears.
He escorts our cat outside and cradles him in his arms
to guard him from hawks.
May life treat him well
and his birthday candles carry
our prayers to the gods.