I only had one
for my childhood
at least the parts that mattered
the laughter
the tears
the fun and the fear
rolling in the grass
swinging in the trees
growing up
wild and free

he taught me to swim
and pulled out my teeth
made me sandwiches
and helped me shear fleece

he let me be little
while he could not be
he was my protector
from everything

from the yelling
from the fists
he took branches to his body
and a shovel to the face

I wish I could have been braver
taken away some of his pain
I wish I could reciprocate
for all that he’s given me
and more
for I have
the best brother in the world