Brother, husband, love,
Leaving this home, broken hearts,
Slipping sweetly to the stars.
Brother, husband, love,
Leaving this home, broken hearts,
Slipping sweetly to the stars.
Lifting the sheet and summer blanket high
While the morning air struggles to billow them underneath
As they sink onto the bedframe,
She remembers
When you taught a five-year-old gangly girl
Who adored you so and loved your hugs swallowing hurt and worry
Into your arms strengthened by years of cleaning
And softened by years of cooking and tasting for seven
And rounded by the weight of bringing five into this world
(A labor you called sweet and easy),
How to make a bed just so,
Smoothing out the lines to a crisp and fresh clean.
Now she allows the sheet to wrinkle and the blanket to hold stains,
A reminder that one year you are gone,
As her childhood and your protective love.
“That is all I ask.”
Lurking beneath politeness,
Words hiding venom.
The cat and I sit
One room over, while you sleep.
Morning breaks sweetly.
Black bee sting lingers,
Spreading its poison over
And over again.
Brother’s Alzheimer’s
And family dysfunction
And friends’ critical words.
A small girl cowers,
Ineffectively shielding
From vicious attacks,
While the enemies
Grow drunk in their ecstasy
That she is broken.
My heart is breaking
and my brother holds my hand
Transcendent beauty
Sadness abounding
Letting go of fear, anger
Praying in Center