We’ve heard of brothers who didn’t love
but hated their siblings instead.
And there were some who went so far
as to want a brother dead.
Cain slew Abel, Romulus killed Remus
Jacob tricked his brother Esau.
And brother killed brother in Civil War,
worst the country ever saw.
But this is not the way it should be
and my own dad and mother
raised five sons who didn’t quarrel.
Each one truly loved the other.
They were taught the Bible story
told by the man with many sons.
A bundle of sticks can’t be broken
but you easily snap just one.
My brothers all stayed friends for life
and no one came between them.
I miss their jokes and jovial talk,
its so long now since I’ve seen them.
Brother love is a wonderful thing
and I saw it personified
in my big loving brothers
until the day the first one died.
Their circle became a bit smaller
as they left it one by one.
Now my younger brother, sister and I
have a circle of our own.
By Joyce Johnson April 22, 2011
For Miranda's "Brotherly Love " Contest
I burned a bridge yesterday,
the tie that bound was cut.
You once were my brother
but never my friend;
too much space between us,
I guess.
Through the years
the exchanges were modest
at best; two siblings in
separate worlds.
Too many words
left unspoken,
too many chances
were lost.
You drove a wedge and
created the rift
that grew deeper
with each passing year.
No longer a way to
mend or repair so
I cut the last tie. Tell me
how did it feel? Unexpected,
or did you care?
You once were my brother
but never my friend;
nothing left between us now,
just space….
Copyright by Anita Lewis Longino
September 2, 2010
Two months had passed since her brother died
Eight weeks she had waited for his sign
One he'd promised to send from above
Assurance of his eternal love
Not yet had she found a shooting star
Or eyed a radiant glow from afar
But this day on a New England beach
A special connection seemed within reach
A church steeple bell began to toll
Causing teardrops down her cheeks to roll
Wind chimes rang too, formed a symphony
"Amazing Grace" was the melody
The tune played at his funeral rites
Rang out in cool wind beneath dusky skies
His sister's eyes found a rainbow had grown
It spanned o'er the lake to their hillside home
'Twas a gift from her most loving brother
A 25-year AIDS sufferer
And the bells brought her peace, gave her a smile
Their spirits had reunited for a while
*True story. I just visited a friend in New England.
While we were at the beach a nearby church bell played "Amazing Grace."
My dear friend cried, saying this was the sign she'd been waiting
to receive from her brother who passed away just two months ago.
Am I my brother's keeper? I'm suppose to be.
But you continuously dig deeper in misery.
A sad state you put our love in.
You can be my brother but not my friend?!
Blood is thicker than water, so they tell me.
But my heart is left for the slaughter unfortunately.
I wonder how a brother could turn his back on his own?
I ponder if you'll even care when I'm dead and gone.
When I call on you, where you at?
You leave the world to walk over me like the bottom of a doormat!
I'm your brother 'til the end, that's reality.
You allowed your pride to destroy your spirituality.
Am I my brother's keeper? I am, and I will always be!
It's a guarantee we will forever remain family!!!
a letter to my brother
of whom I hold dear
he's accross the ocean
so far from here
he fights in a war
of which is not his own
many stand beside him
he is not alone
I pray he makes it home
to his family and friends
I pray the war ends
and U.S. and iraq make amends
I miss my brother like no other
but i am proud of where he stands
his endurance to take the pain
his courage to unite foreign hands
brother I'll be here when you get home
I'll be the first to thank you for all you've done
for I am proud to be your brother
you stand and fight when all others would run
you have a strong heart, mind, and soul
so i know the devil wont try to take any brother of mine
I know you will all come home safe
I know everything will be just fine
but there are some things I think you should know
some things I have probably said before
but I dont think it will hurt
to tell you once more
I love you for who you are and for what you do
...I miss my brother and best friend
but no matter what happens
I promise i'll see you again in the end
to my brother and his brothers in arms- be safe.
every morning as I wake up
I think of you and how grateful I am
wondering if you are where you need to be
then I think of you as a hero
that came into my life
more and more you appeared
then I was in strife
afraid I will forget you
but I cant cuz there is that special place
in my heart just for you
also afraid I cannot live without you
being here with us or being
a big part of a meaning of life
I only pray
to have a brother
like you by my side
I realized I do
and that big brother is you
you never let me down
therefore I am proud to call you
a true big brother
to me you will always be a big bother
as I see...
Brothers
What can I say that you do not know?
Brothers are the best you know
They’re there when you need
And they’re willing to lead
You can’t go wrong
With a brother so strong
For security is their intent
They’ll show you through actions sent
Although their emotions
They do not show
Their actions
Will tell you so
That they want the best for you
The relationship between you two
They’ll try not to hurt and harm
Although they can not turn on their charm
There is nothing like your best friend
A brother from heaven sent
By: Nena Enriquez
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