Love you like a Brother
We were canoeing on a sunlit stream
A shadow of a willow, then a golden gleam
We entered a cathedral, white branches made a cover
And I hit you on the shoulder and said I loved you like a brother.
A dragonfly alighted on the bow of the boat
I rested my oars, watched a turtle float
Then you told me you had a past, always on the run
Had to keep a distance, because of what you'd done.
You had a covenant with shame, transparent you could not be
You could be a friend in a shallow way, but not eternity.
I said "I prefer perfection, but if perfection is declined
I've known you since finger-paints and crayons combined.
We were like brothers, and what are brothers for?
Don't cry on my shoulder, I don't need to hear more
Your eyes flickered with hope, though your soul felt unclean.
I gestured at the hills, where the vista views were green,
The river kept on flowing, like memories on the mend
You relaxed, I was there, like a brother and a friend.
I looked above to see a California Condor hover
The moment was calming, I thought he's like a brother.
But when the moment's over, and I'm feeling sober
I'll take that job in Whitehorse, though they say it's a lot colder
Whatever he did, I can't let him drag me down
Brotherhood has limits, and I'm heading out of town.
Copyright © Gideon Oknin | Year Posted 2025
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