brother

Dirt streaks windblown cheeks

memories in forgotten colors

losing shape and form

adventures blend so carelessly

until days weeks and years are one

 

Pure blue your eyes are still

once deeper than the ocean

but the mischief has retreated

the boyish gleam a stranger here

no longer want or needed

 

Innocence a funny thing

a dangerous game

a precious lie

a blinding merciful deception

all these things you had them not

 

Childhood not a right

just a gift for some

the cheeks scrubbed to shine

the eyes rubbed to dull

imagination left to waste

 

I see you still as you sit

hands limp at your side

blank face turned to me

buried deep in storm blue eye

a child rushed to be

 

romping through golden field

forever in my mind

running ever faster through the hills

springing from a hiding place

to catch me unaware

 

such painful wayward memories

but still I see those painted cheeks

and the lustrous blue orbed eyes

and I know this face will be

always mine to find