My Brother

Too young, Too soon. Gone. Just the other day you were laughing with me, Just the other day you hugged me. Just the other day you said “I’ll be home soon!”. You were just a hop, skip, and a jump across the pond. You were gonna come home the way you left, by plane. They sent you to that war over in the middle east. You weren't even supposed to be gone for very long. You were gonna come home, “Just a short time.” you said, “Just a quick trip.”. Just the other day you sent me videos, To check in on Mom and Dad and our little sister. You asked if I were on my best behavior and what was happening at home. Just the other night you told me to have sweet dreams and that’d you’d be home soon. Just the other day you were laughing, Just the other day you were smiling, Just the other day you were talking, Just the other day you hugged me goodbye, Just the other day you were warm… And your heart was beating. Just the other day you were supposed to come home, Just the other day there was a knock at the door, but it wasn't you. We all rushed to hug and kiss and see you again. But it wasn't you. Another soldier, In his dress uniform. A solemn look on his face, A folded flag in his hands. Mom started to cry, Dad, Was in shock. Our poor sister didn't understand and asked where you were. I had come to realize what was going on. You were supposed to come home. Not this poor man, Burdened with this news. You were supposed to come home, The way you left. They gave us your things, The backpack still had half a bottle of your favorite soda, Still left inside. When I pulled it out, The full force of reality hit me. Tears streamed down my face as I hugged that bottle to my chest crying “NO!” over and over. I cried out “Why?!? Why’d you take my brother!” to some unknown outer force, But there was no response. So I was forced to sit there as my sobs broke the silence and my tears plummeted to the ground. I held onto that bottle of half gone soda like my life depended on it. Because it was yours, And it was your favorite, And now… you are gone. You were supposed to come home the way you left, Smiling, Laughing, Heart beating. Not in a box, Not cold, Not with your eyes closed forever, And most definitely not dead. Just the other day you were here, With me, Alive. But now I wear black, and more tears stream silently down my cheeks, as you’re lowered down, in that box, beneath the earth. You were supposed to come home, But now you’re just gone.