Little eyes
Crystal and perfect
Little ears
Sculpted, flawless
Little lips
Soft and lovely
And a little smile
With little teeth
To show your precious little face

But behind the eyes
Under the ears
And beyond your smile
Inside your little lungs
You’re sick

It pains me too look at you
Your little eyes
Little ears
Little smile
Because all I can see
Is a little box
Inside a little hole
And dozens of little flowers

But inside your little eyes
I see the smallest but most beautiful
Ray of hope
And I say to myself
“My little brother
So strong but so weak
Is going to make it”

And the box is empty
And the hole was never dug
And the flowers never picked

And I could see you again
And I didn’t worry
Because I saw hope
All the way down in your little lungs
Which won’t hold out forever
But for now you are my brother