bird heart boy now bird heart man

for my friend ncng

To the boy who gave me a bird's heart. 

A day I'll never forget. 

A day I knew you'd be my friend. 

An actual bird's heart wrapped in tissue. 

I wasn't sure where you got it from. 

Maybe the science lab. 

You didn't tell me and unknowingly tried to convince me you might be a serial killer with your eyes. 

The mystery wasn't concerning. 

More alluring.

Opening the door into your dark humour. 

I walked in and we continued to be those two weird friends. 

You were much smarter than me.

Or so it felt it, sang opera, played badminton and broke your knee. 

Played with numbers to become a data scientist. 

All the while I kicked the ball at lunch and struggled a bit. We remained connected still.

We stayed in touch once we left Trinity.

Ate tofu.

Laughed at the haircuts, the incidents and the waves left behind us. 

Talked numbers, ethics, free will and animals. 

You were always an enlightening guy with so much time and kindness. 

I was never really behind, you kept me beside you all along. 

Thank you for the bird heart, the weirdness and the connection. 

But I never actually asked you where you got that bird's heart from. 

I preferred the mystery, not afraid, but to keep that intrigue of you alive. 

I'm glad I walked through that door for us to be friends. 

You've been here with me till the very end.