Brian told me it was the best birthday party,
And the happiest birthday, that he had ever had.
I was happy for him.  I was so glad.
Wednesday, September 15th, 2010, was Brian's last birthday.
So many friends of his and mine were there that night.
It was a karaoke birthday party,
And Brian sang all his signature songs:
"Aubrey" by Bread--and he sang it better than they did.
"I Love" by Tom T. Hall.  
Brian sang it truly well.
Those were the two songs he sang best, true to the tune,
With haunting beauty of his vocalizing lyrics to the music. 
Brian had a ball.
He wore a cone-shaped party hat--parti-colored, and with a few stars
That seemed to say there is a heaven above us all.
And power and greatness and majesty.  Brian always thanked the Lord.
Party favors and decorations were strewn all about.
There was singing and even dancing and conviviality.
Midway through the night, the birthday cake was brought out.
It had written on it "Happy Birthday, Ducky"--
And, in the center of the cake, on top, a big yellow duck,
A mama duck, with four little ducklings.  Why? 
Brian had a nick-name.  Or a stage name, he sometimes went by.
He was often called "Ducky" because one of his standard songs
Was the old Sesame Street song, "Rubber Ducky."
He made people smile and laugh and love him,
No matter what he sang. 
His gentle, kind, good-hearted nature always showed softly through.
It was a big cake, and Brian had a lot of cake to take home.
But not before Brian sang and danced many times. 
Several good friends posed with him for photos.
Whenever he was called to the mic, he was referred to as "birthday boy,"
And he smiled with the joy of a child--a pure, sweet, innocent, perfect joy.
Three times at least, the whole crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to Brian.
He felt special, in a good way. 
He felt loved and cared about and appreciated.
And you know something?  He was.
And he still is.
Happy Birthday, Brian.

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Written by Michael LP, aka MLP
aka PoetWithCancer, aka PWC, aka (thanks to Luna Marie) Mr. Poet
Written on Thursday, May 26, 2011  11:24 pm PDT
77 degrees F.  Humidity: 17%  Forecast: overcast
Copyright (C) 2011 by Michael LP.  All rights reserved
(I still copyright my writings, for my estate)