Poem For RJ

I knew Mark was a good writer, but he really did a great job with this poem he wrote for his Uncle RJ who passed away last week. It makes my eyes water every time I read it. 

I'll never forget all those warm summer nights
That followed the days of cold water fights.
Or the man at the center of everyone
My dad's older brother, gramps oldest son.

You could see that big smile all over his face
As his Harley pulled up to visit our place.
And it wasn't too long before he got hold of you
And each of us knew what we had to do.

We cried, mercy mercy Uncle J
I think that's all I can handle today.
I'll be ready for more when you come back again
But until then I love you my friend.

I have never felt pain like I did on the day
That I learned from my sister he had been taken away.
I fell to my knees and begged the lord please
Don't let him be gone without one final tease.

I thought of my aunt and my cousins too
My heart swells with love and sorrow for you.
As we carried his body aloft in the air
Past the uniformed brothers and sister all there.

I thought of the times he held me in the air 
And tossed me higher than any would dare.
With a mind full of memories and soul of unrest
I removed the flower that was pinned to my chest.

I placed it back on top of the box dyed tan
Near the truest of banners "The most Wonderful Man"
And I cried, mercy mercy uncle J
I think that's all I can handle today

You'll be waiting for me when I come back again
But until then I love you my friend.