the boy’s father left,
life isn’t fair that way.
but he had a man to look to,
an older brother who’d stayed.
after tears, the boy smiled,
because it’s what children do.
his question, so earnest,
asking what he already knew:
brother will you be my keeper?
brother will you be my friend?
brother will you bring me laughter?
will you make the sadness end?
and when the hurt comes back,
i know you can help me again.
brother will you be my keeper?
brother will you be my friend?
when brothers grow,
each soul expands.
one showing the other
how to meet life’s demands.
to raise children in kindness,
to love without restraint.
and through the ups and downs,
one could hear the boy’s strains:
brother will you be my keeper?
brother will you be my friend?
this life is unrelenting,
making my will to bend.
but when our strength is tested,
and we’re forced to be men,
brother will you be my keeper?
brother will you be my friend?
even the tallest trees
may one day break.
and when life’s cruel winds blow,
there is so much at stake.
and when the brother passed.
the boy’s heart lay broken.
his words carried sorrow,
more whispered than spoken.
could i not have been your keeper?
or brother, been a better friend?
i'm sorry for your torment.
i wish i understood then.
a gifted mind giveth and it taketh away.
now i’m forced to comprehend.
why this boy has lost his keeper.
and why Iive lost my friend.
time works with grace,
helping wounds to scar.
though subtle reminders,
are never too far.
and when the weight grew heavy,
the boy climbed a mountain tall.
and resting near a quiet stream,
a voice from Heaven called,
brother let me be your keeper.
brother i am still your friend.
i'm in a place devoid of sadness.
with a King who has pow’r to cleanse.
so Let Him wash the worry away,
our bond will know no end.
brother i will be your keeper.
forever i will be your friend.
-hb mercy
(happy birthday, brother. i love this photo of you. you should have seen everyone today. hiking and laughing and smiling—sharing pictures. i guess you did. we miss you. look after us and we’ll try and look after each other. i love you.)
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