your loss has affected me greatly
a younger brother’s passing is untimely
it’s not fair for him to have gone out that way
it’s not fair for me to have wanted the same thing
I have an older sister too
she has stood by my side
ever since I stepped outside of the womb
it would be unkind
for me to leave her slumped over in momentary defeat
for near strangers to try their best
to carry her back up to her feet
but sometimes this pain is too much to bear
and us boys would rather bury it than share
bringing others down into our misery
it goes without saying
you are strong and you are brave
nobody should ever have to face
the vast emptiness that is threatening to infiltrate
and perhaps already is
you will get through this period of darkness
I have faith in you
please don’t forget
you light up the rooms you walk into
God has a purpose for you
these are the words I wanted to say
when you broke the news to me
I was busy trying to comfort someone who was grieving
when I never learned how to do so for myself