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i wish i could take you all out for shots,
i celebrate in clinks and cheers and
excessive proclamations and rounds of
appetisers and sweet desserts.

i wish i could take you all out for a quiet hike in the woods,
and hear your stories about your hopes and dreams
and families and why you got into this business and
what you are struggling with at the moment.

i wish i could take you all out for rounds of beers,
to show that i see you and appreciate your
time and energy and commitment and  
devotion to your craft and our team and these kids.

i wish i could take you all out to a bookstore,
to see where you linger, what you choose, and how
you build your stacks and which ones you leave behind.

i wish i could take you all out for fancy cocktails,
to share too much, swear too much, connect as humans
peaking behind the mask of professionalism and false images.

i wish i could take you all out for whatever brings you joy
and see you in your element and meet your kids and
let our hair down and play each other records and tell
stories about remember-whens.

i wish i could-
after ten years of
working together-
get to know the real you,
so i can thank you
properly.