Tuesday, April 14, 2015

BLOOD

I had a brother once, for an entire summer.
I was ten, he was eight.
We were products of those things
grownups do that eventually turn to hate.

But we only knew love, how to play, 
to run, eat sweets, laugh 
in the middle of the pouring rain.
Then it was time for me to go.
He wouldn't talk to me that day,
our eyes pouring sorrow
of children who don't understand
how or why grownups don't always do
the best they can.

He grew up to be a nerd-
sweet, helpful librarian, joyously gay. 
I loved him even more that way.
I bet he thought me nerdy too,
thinking the world was created 
so I could save it from... everything.
We had fun that day we met again
to share our grown up lives and recollections.

But now, I'm more grown up than he
will ever be.  After the accidental crash,
after he left me
before we could ever argue, fight or celebrate
like proper siblings, so close
they could be each other's light.

He's now the happy face in my grief, 
the little ping my heart beats when 
I see a brother and sister playing
reminding me to honor him by saying,
"Thank you little brother for our good times.  
Me, I've been living, but you have to rest."




(My half brother was killed by a drunk driver. )


(For Dverse Poets.)  





15 comments:

  1. This is a beautiful and touching poem, Myrna. I am glad you have the sweet memories but sad you lost your half-brother too soon.

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  2. Very moving, Myrna. Sounds like a 'true brother,' Myrna. And it is good that you knew only how to love. Very sad that you grew up and he didn't. But I am glad that today you see the happiness despite the grief of loss. The last two lines were stunning.

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  3. I am very touched by this personal share Myrna ~ I am sorry for your loss and this part is lovely tribute to him:

    He's now the happy face in my grief,
    the little ping my heart beats when
    I see a brother and sister playing
    reminding me to honor him by saying,
    "Thank you little brother for our good times.
    Me, I've been living, but you have to rest."

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  4. Fact is always trumping fiction; thanks for sharing your memories, & piece of your heart. I never met my father, never knew his name, quit searching for him when I turned 50. Hugs to you for this touching piece.

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  5. I am so sorry. While he is remembered with love, he is not gone, but resting in another room.

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  6. Oh, Myrna, so very sad. I love the happiness of your childhood time together (in spire of the grownup dramatics), and love that you met again when older. Sad to reunite, and then lose him again. This poem is very moving, very touching. I love it.

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  7. How wonderful you had him for awhile and how terrible to lose him and for such a very sad reason. Very loving and touching poem. Kanzen Sakura is Hayes Spencer

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  8. Oh...this brought tears, Myrna. The way you remembered him in this is just wonderful...the pure joy of enjoying childhood together...but oh so sad, too, being torn from one another. Those first two stanzas especially caught me, and the reveal gripped my heart. I'm so sorry for your loss. Such a moving poem, thank you for sharing it!

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  9. So tragic. Glad that you can have wonderful memories of your half-brother, but I know that you would much rather be making more memories. Sorrowful and joyful at the same time...lovely write.

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  10. childhood joy sharing with a brother leaves a lifelong fond memory..."He's now the happy face in my grief,"..may he always be that...such a moving poem Myrna...

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  11. How very very sad... the fact you had a half-brother, that you got to bond to, when you didn't need to take care of grown-ups (being grown-up too) .. so much missed opportunity taken away .. so very well written.

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  12. So sorry for your loss. My roommate lost his sister to a drunk driver. She was walking on the sidewalk when he hit her. Such grief and loss - how precious is each day.

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  13. I am so sorry for your loss. This is a very sweet piece...a lovely tribute.

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