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.