In Memory of my Brother

He vanished in silence one winter day
an intelligent, good, and serious man
who suffered for more than a year
he died an agonizing death
bereft of what he lived for
 
Because of my mistakes in life
(my helplessness at its highest)
I could not hold him in his final hours
nor tell him how much I loved him
I could not ask him for forgiveness
for the wrongs I had done him
 
He died alone in some strange room
and with him a part of me died too.
I pray for you my brother
and ask that you wait for me
as I am not far behind
 
 
 
 
[this poem is not autobiographical.
 It was written for a close friend.]