He would have liked the celebration.
Even if he took part in none of the activities,
even if he had barely been present
as he so frequently was,
even if he spent half the time in the bathroom.

He would have gotten a kick
out of the speakers
out of the decorations
out of the snacks
tastefully dispersed
about the room.

He wouldn’t have spoken much,
I don’t think.
He would have nodded as folks greeted him,
smiled a bit,
and stayed seated
through most of the proceedings.
He would have been polite
but little more.

Still,
I think he would have gotten a kick out of the day.
He would have appreciated
what so many people had to say about him.
It’s a shame he couldn’t make it.