As with the most
intriguing nicknames
I never knew its explanation
but from as early as I can remember
my uncle called me Turkey Breath.
This moniker tapered off
with the shedding of boyhood's
naive assumptions
replaced, most times, with how
he'd address me hencforth:
Partner.
Unsure of whether
it was a reference to Western films
upon which he'd cut his teeth
or a spillover term from his career
as a high-volume car-slinger
who understood that
taking care of business
was easier when
the wagons were circled
or if there were other partners
in the world beyond our conversations
about which I didn't know
I see now
albeit too late
that there was one thing
I called him in return:
Not often enough.
