Life Changing Events

I recall when my father died The weeping willows cried Sunflowers hid their face Morning birds sang "Amazing Grace That night the moon was blue He sobbed a heavy dew Frogs and crickets, respectfully silent While his world mourned in private He had been a steward of the land Turning the soil by hand Fished and hunted wild game Taught his sons to do the same Only taking his need for his family fill Thinking it wrong to wastefully kill Now resting in an earthly tomb At peace in Mother Nature's womb Consoling my heartbroken mother Fifty years with only one lover Drowning in her ocean of tears Facing lonely golden years As we followed my father's hearse I thought, "What could be worse?" Within a year I got my answer My only brother died of cancer He was born on Lincoln's birthday In his shadow is where I stayed Like a pup, following him everywhere Bidding his wishes, fulfilling his dares Before I was legal, he taught me to drive We fought all challengers for family pride At his wedding I was his best man We were each others' biggest fan To the world these two events Held little significance But forever my life was changed In the midst of insufferable pain It's been over twenty years All alone I've faced my fears Now they visit from worlds apart In my dreams consoling my heart an original poem by the "poemdog" Daniel Turner