Friend

He has been
My friend for the
Last five decades an
Honorable man whom
I delight in teasing over
Board games on military
Campaigns too numerous
To recount but always fun
To distract from his move
By outrageous political
Snares and family bug
A boos anything that
Might give me an
Edge in a game
More fun for
The banter
Than any
Victory.
My two grand
Daughters are
His daughters both
Lovely smart and
Dear to us both
Nonetheless
We spewed
Not vitriol
But silly
Blarney
Back and
Forth across
The game board.
I still find it tempting
To tease him but let me
Add he was a Green Beret
Giant who could break me to
Bits if he were really angry
So pardon our game of
Back and forth and
Be assured we
Are only in a
Game of
Who
Is still
In the game.
Friends always
Though he flanks
Right and I flank left,
So we clash but
Laughing.