Remembering

This month marks the third anniversary of the very sudden passing of my dear brother.  Hard to believe - three years since the Police broke the news.  Sometimes I still cannot take it in.  Now he has another Grandson - the second he never got the chance to see and and of course our Grandson Nathan. He would have been so happy.

He was my big brother, my protector, my friend, my confident. He took me out with him even when his friends laughed at him. He used to take me rowing on a local park lake. He did all the rowing whilst I lay with my fingers dangling in the water dreaming my dreams. They were magical times and helped to make the rest of what went on in my childhood bearable.  He was witty, clever, artistic - a wonderful painter who also wrote great prose.  A very kind and gentle human being. I miss him and always will.  I would like to share with you this poem I wrote for him on the anniversary of his passing last year.

For Buddy

I see it still -

Those sun-bronzed arms dipping the oars in steady rhythm

Into the sparkling water.

The light catching the short golden hairs

As your muscles flexed.

The unruly mop of hair that fell forever

Across your forehead

And the chipped front tooth - the

Only flaw upon your radiant smile.

Oh, but to be back in time for just a little while,

Golden days upon the golden lake

An arrowhead of ripples trailing in our wake.

You, like a young god who could tame the fiercest lion

With a shoulder strong that all who knew you could rely on.

With you I saw my first film,

Sitting so proudly by your side

Safe in the knowledge that you would

Protect me from all harm

And that your arms would defend me

Against life's storm.

Bedtime stories came alive with you

We were Robin Hood and his Merry Men

Sinbad, Aladdin, Cinderella - we were transported

From our humble home into a world of magic.

The troubles of the outside world could not impinge

Upon our joy

Nor dim my love for you, my golden boy.

Suddenly, you were no more -

From life to death in but the blinking of an eye,

No time to voice unspoken thoughts

To speak from the heart

No time for us to whisper our Goodbye.

You left a void, a black and ugly place

That none can fill nor ever take your place.

The years have passed yet still my heart could break

At memories so strong which I embrace

Of all those golden days upon the golden lake.