An old high school friend of mine passed away not long ago. Mike was a joyous person to know, and though it has been many years since our paths crossed, he has remained a positive force in my life through the power of the indelible memories he left me with. He was a rare person, transitioning from childhood to mature adulthood astonishly fast, yet he never made any of his peers feel inferior, and he was always approachable.

Mike was deeply admired by anybody who got to know him, and will be long missed by those of us who carry on, buoyed by our memories. This poem is my personal tribute to a truly great human being. ~500 words.