Carry Thy Brother

Don’t worry, brother,

I am falling

In step beside you.

Two of us, brother,

Moving ever outward,

In a spiral cadence.

An infinite reversal

Of direction,

But moving away

From the center.

When you lean,

Use me as a crutch.

When it hurts,

Find me sympathetic.

I can dig a hole, brother,

And we will sleep,

Protected from

The rains and mortars.

Fear not, brother,

To sleep, to sleep,

And I will be vigilant.

I will talk you to rest

Of the things to come.

Home awaits us,

So too does

The warm welcome

Of the smiling fire.

Awake, brother,

Only a few hours more.

Awake now

Let me hear you breathe.

Stand, brother,

Please put your feet

Beneath you.

Stand and walk,

It is not here we die.

Stand … stand …

I will carry you, brother.

I know the path

And it is long,

But we walk it as one.

You will know

It is my hand

Behind your head,

As the blood runs out.

No, brother,

Do not stare

With those empty eyes.

Do not stare at me

In that glaze of death.

No, brother, no.

Lie down, brother.

Sleep and dream.

Lie down,

I will see you soon.

Don’t worry, brother

I am falling

In step beside you.