Brother, please come back

I hear a crack in your voice—

it must be all in my head.

You just got out of rehab,

we can’t be back here again.

 

Mom says you haven’t called in days,

Are you okay?

You sway, folding forward like a bent stem,

breathing heavy, eyes closed,

drifting slowly, too high to stand.

 

Always beside you,but never close enough

to grasp your internal battle,

wishing I could fight it for you.

 

It’s been several years—

almost clean, almost gone.

You relapse, I catch you.

You burn all your bridges, I catch you.

You lie, I catch you.

 

Chasing you through shadows,

Brother, please come back.

It’s been several years—

almost clean, almost gone.