I hope this isn't seen as shit.

17.

I can remember nights
Where you and I talked
And we loved each other.

I can still remember when I was young
– And you were youngest –
Thinking you’d been sent to destroy me,
That you were a vacuum of affection directed at me.
But even when we fought,
We knew we were fine –
That we were meant prop up each other
‘Til frailty and senility wreck’d us for real.
There is little else in this world I have come to feel
Duty bound to care about
And few others whom I’ve truly loved
With unabashed affection.
And, I remember, and sort of can’t forget
You turning nine years old;
I have this irresolvable belief in me of your
Continued childlike goodness,
Sustained forever from that year,
That you will fix the world.
You complained, at least I think you did,
Of living in my shadow,
But trust me:
The only umbral shade you’ll ever encounter
Is when you soar past the moon
And can see the dark side of Earth in all its splendor,
And destroy all doubt.
Please remember, little Mary,
That I will always be looking up at you.