for my brother

 

Yesterday, you and I hiked steep slopes above timberline together.

Yesterday, we scrambled to the mountain’s rocky summit, shouting;

Yesterday, both of us could see for miles into the future’s glorious vista.

Today, we sit on this boulder, gulping for oxygen and squinting at horizon.

Today, trail is precarious scree and semi-obscured by fog of fears, tears

Today, we rub our aching muscles and commiserate with breaking hearts

But tomorrow…tomorrow will dawn brilliant where sorrow will be no more!
 


Linking this poem (revised from an earlier version) with d’Verse Poets today.  I’m hosting “poetics” with a mountain theme and the online pub opens at 3 EST.  Come join us!

36 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. phoartetry's avatar phoartetry
    Apr 14, 2016 @ 16:14:51

    Captured my heart, deeply. It’s so important to spend time with one’s brother/sister.

    “To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other’s hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time.” – Clara Ortega

    Connie

    Reply

  2. kaykuala (@hankkaykuala)'s avatar kaykuala (@hankkaykuala)
    Mar 31, 2016 @ 21:39:31

    tomorrow will dawn brilliant
    where sorrow will be no more!

    Love the positive stance Lynn! Sharing with one’s own brother doing things together and anticipating good ones in the future!

    Hank

    Reply

  3. Walter J. Wojtanik's avatar Walt Wojtanik
    Mar 31, 2016 @ 09:34:28

    Beautifully rendered, Lynn!

    Reply

  4. Bryan Ens's avatar Bryan Ens
    Mar 31, 2016 @ 07:48:08

    Amazing piece Lynn! You capture the joy of youth, the sorrow of loss, and the final joyful victory of Eternity!

    Reply

  5. Anna's avatar Anna
    Mar 31, 2016 @ 03:01:55

    I enjoyed hiking with you and your brother through the stages of life. My brother is three years younger and now that we’ve reached our 40s we too sometimes feel the trail is precarious.

    Reply

  6. voiceless2010's avatar voiceless2010
    Mar 30, 2016 @ 22:43:11

    What a difference a single day can make. 🙂 I like this accurate portrayal of a hiking trip!

    Reply

  7. Waltermarks's avatar Waltermarks
    Mar 30, 2016 @ 18:12:30

    That was a beautiful poem. l can relate to the ease of yesterday’s climbers, clambering up quickly. I think I can just enjoy it from a distance now though.😂

    Reply

  8. Hannah Gosselin's avatar Hannah Gosselin
    Mar 30, 2016 @ 14:04:38

    This is powerful…so much is said without saying and the fact that mountains are also special to my brother caused this one to feel even more deeply for me. Thank you so much.

    Reply

  9. pandamoniumcat's avatar pandamoniumcat
    Mar 30, 2016 @ 07:54:11

    A lovely poem and metphor…we have to believe always that tomorrow will as you say will dawn brilliant once more.

    Reply

  10. writersdream9's avatar writersdream9
    Mar 30, 2016 @ 06:02:04

    A wonderful metaphor for life and accompaniment!

    Reply

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