My Brother

I write to a special brother
who's always been there for me.
Yet, in the last several years his determination
has helped this brother to see.

The diligence displayed
always as strong
as the persistence
he conveyed.

Yes, not just the problems
he faced, as all do in life,
but the strength he expelled
to win all his fights.

I know this is
not real explanatory,
but, if you're part of a family
you know the story.

I've called on my brother
with many a need
and he never considers
the action required,
only to heed.

I hope this telling is clear,
it's as if we're
kids again
playing in front of a mirror.

We spent our childhood
side by side
and because of that
we share the very same pride.

I love him
with such a devoted strength
that surely, it will last
our whole mortal length.

Yes, I could express
a whole lot more,
but when I think... it's just
that we're of the very same core.

I have two sons. One is a few years older than the other. As kids, the older always took the younger under his wing and never minded. They were buddies, even kind of best friends. When the younger was a teen, the older shared much with him. He was always there to give an extra five or a ten for this or for that, take him here or there, or to offer a hand. They grew into men. The younger did well; tenacious he was, a mite stubborn, too. The older had a few rough paths to trod, but he never forgot his younger brother. Roles reversed a bit and now the younger was the one to stretch out the hand. The poem written here, his first attempt at the formal written word, the older shared with his mother. I now share it with you. And, he gave it to his brother.