Brotherhood

We fought, we laughed,
   we wrestled in play.
For years, on the very same bed
   we lay.
Into the night, we'd whisper and quiver,
   under twenty quilts, we'd shiver.

Mom would always tuck us in
   then the freezing cold began.
By three AM, she'd soon arrive
   To see if we were still alive.

We shared one bed. One closet,
   one chest
On which our Hai Karate rest.

Then summer came with heat
   and sweat.
Whose pillow was whose,
   we'd often fret.

Heat so hot, we bathed the sheets.
A fly and gnat and mosquito feast.
A window fan blew nice hot air.
That wet and humid room
   we'd share.

That 'antique' bed, it creaked and dipped.
Under crispy sheets we slipped.
Jokes were told; prayers were said.
Thankful at least to share a bed.

Thankful at least to have a bed.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Vincent Avatar
June 2, 2016 at 11:51 AM
I love the way you have captured the boyhood memories in this piece, especially..."By 3am she'd be back, to see if we were still alive."
Brooks Avatar
June 2, 2016 at 12:15 PM
Thank you so much. Our bedroom had no heat, and on nights when it reached close to zero, she really would check to see if we had or had not frozen to death.
Merryman Avatar
May 30, 2016 at 5:29 PM
A delightful, nostalgic write! I enjoyed reading your poem, David. Love, Kim
Brooks Avatar
June 2, 2016 at 12:16 PM
Thanks Kim.
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