you knew i'd be awake
so you requested me
instead of mom or dad

eleven seconds
between my bed and yours
i waste no time
when it comes to four a.m. messages
from your phone to mine

i didn't knock
we were kids again, sharing a room
you didn't move, you didn't have to
i will always come to you

rosy eyes and glassy cheeks
your hand shook, shed the sheets
to reach for me

i stroked your arm, kissed your hair
while you wept into mine
we were kids again, we were wisemen
we were the only things alive in that
enlightened, darkest moment

you told me everything
i could ever dream to hear
you love me
i know
you're sorry
though you never need to be

you don't have to say a thing
was all you needed to hear
to fall asleep, to breathe in peace
to believe me
you're the best, buddy
please, just
believe me

i cut the light, crept the hallway
shut my door, took my turn at crying
wrote nine pages worth of words
that don't do you any justice

you knew i'd lift you up
you swear you don't deserve that

know i couldn't turn you down
if my life depended on it

so you requested me
instead of wrecking yourself
and i thank you for that
vastly, eternally
thank you for leaning on me
for giving me the honor to be
there for you,
dear brother