Family Ties
Family Ties
Brothers should I leave you
And travel life for years without you
And should I never return to our home
Remember it was I who journeyed alone
And should the time in passing
Bring me memories of regret
Should the entire world forget?
To search for you when you are missing
And so ask yourselves why
Why should my brother be leaving?
And why for so long has he wandered solitary
Never returning
Brothers on some momentary day spent wishing
Without recognition
By my side you where resting
And did not speak my name
And in all the land and cities seen
None of your faces have been
While our blood and our brotherhood meandered through foreign streets
Less than a thought away
And should I never greet you again
Before this departure had made its pact
Would you stand by my door?
Lest you be turned away
The cold trap of our families living
And the continuous undiscovered lie
It was
That kept my feet from turning
For so long and farewell you have lost me
And for more than years have you waited
This silent reminder beckoned to me
To remind me of you
“ It was in April of 91 that I first returned, after traveling and working abroad. My
knock on our old blue front door was not greeted with smiles, but with vexed and
unwelcoming eyes. On my back a rucksack, on my feet old worn boots. This was the last time
I saw our Father and these were his only words.”
“You can’t stay here.” He even repeated it to make sure I had heard.
“You can’t stay here.”
“ I did not know it then, as I know now; of the filth he has fated and intended to my
life. Yet ever his fear of discovery built his lies for me. My last words to him were
these……..
“Do you see these boots?” I asked, “they are more than five years old and the most
comfortable boots I have ever worn. That’s a pretty good life for a pair of boots don’t
you think?”
And with those boots and my rucksack on my back I walked away. Not for a moment did he ask
me to stay or offer a moments ease, a cup of tea, or inquire as to where I was heading.
There was no farewell as up the road and into a different life I went walking.
Brothers should I leave you
And travel life for years without you
And should I never return to our home
Remember it was I who journeyed alone
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