Little Brother

Have faith that I won’t leave you
and that I’ll be there for you always.
To listen to you complain or boast,
to help you with whatever you need.
You’ll be in my heart forever.
You mean so much to me, more
than you could know.
We may drift apart and fight,
but I won’t ever leave you.

Remember how I held your hand
when you were frightened, and
how I cursed those who made you cry?
Stroked your white blond hair
and listened to you scream and rant
about all the issues that drove you
up the wall?
Remember when I taught you to
say “r’s” properly, and when we
had our sleep overs in each other’s rooms?
All our little inside jokes, that seem
ridiculous to anyone but us,
and how much I teased you?
Remember when I used to bite the grape
in half, so you wouldn’t choke on it,
and our games of super heros and castles?
Remember when I deserted you?
For that one time, I left,
grew up, didn’t need you,
was jealous of you, angry with you,
blamed you, hated you,
but I still loved you.
Honestly, I was collecting myself
so I would be a better person.

I know spoken words are not
my forte, so too often
silence is all you get.
No Hi’s in the morning, or hugs in the afternoon,
and definitely no kisses on the cheek.
But you’ll always be my baby brother,
and I’ll always love you.
No matter how annoying I say you are,
no matter how much I push you away.
I’ll try to work on being a better sister,
being more loving and supportive,
as it seems I have forgotten, in my absence.
I’ll try to work on those praise words that
I know help make you feel better.
I’ll keep trying. Don’t give up on me.
Have faith that I won’t leave you.