Brother by Barbara Glover

Brother

You are my fraternal friend of childhood

Who I raced cars with on hills of sand.

We charged together through the wood,

You with an axe and I with a rake

Clearing paths of twig and vine heading towards a lake.

In the city we spent days at the YMCA.

We made it through the whole swimming regiment.

Sometimes we spent an entire day,

You played soccer and softball, we ate ice cream and cake.

We did it all together, nothing was ever fake.

As adults we have been

The best of friends.

We still like to hike in the glen

Or take mom out for lunch.

And sometimes we all gather for brunch.

You’ve held me when I cried

At Dad’s death and funeral.

Then, I needed the comfort more than my pride.

You also counseled and cheered me

When Allan dumped me and I wanted to flee.

But now you got sick

How is that even possible?

And this disease no one can lick.

I see you as your body wastes

And it seems to do so with great haste.

Your children are young and in need.

You are their daddy

And they need you to lead.

How can they even understand?

Your death will bring them chaos like shifting sand.

I do not even know

How to go on without you.

Time is fast becoming the foe

As the shortening days you draw breath

Hasten and harken towards your death.

I do not want to live

In a world that you do not inhabit as well.

Oh, for what I wouldn’t give

To take this dreaded burden from you

And render your health anew.

You are so brave

As you struggle to laugh.

Oh, how we pray and try to save

You to be with us.

But you valiantly try to live without a fuss.

I say again, that when

You are gone

I will run and run and run into the glen,

And cry many tears

For all the moments and happy years.

Tears for all those golden years gone by

And for all those years that never will be.

This heartache I do not lie

Will follow me to my grave.

There is nothing but memories for me to save.