Two brothers grew up

In the same house, together

A bond of love connected them

And withstood all kinds of weather

One day, a genie was brought

In a bottle, to the house

At first it gave no problem

Was as quiet as a mouse

But, one brother, without guile

Opened the bottle, had a drink

What he didn’t realise was

He would soon be on the brink

As the genie had been released

It had an evil power

On those it selected it took effect

Slowly, gradually, hour by hour

Eventually the brother succumbed

And walked a different road

Became a slave to the genie

Though a bad future was foretold

Too late, he could not turn away

The other was distraught

But there was naught that he could do

This dragon could not be fought

The genie had captured another victim

As the brother eventually died

The sadness that he left behind

Could never be denied

His grieving brother did not sleep

Asked ‘what could he have done’

He felt guilt, but against the genie

His power was reduced to none

His anger at his brother was such

He could hardly speak his name

How could he have preferred the genie?

It was such a dreadful shame

But, it wasn’t like that, no not at all

Against the genie, there was no chance

It played a different tune

To which its victims had to dance

Gone was the power of love

Taking with it all the care

And a loving family life

No longer could they share

The path had been chosen

With ignorance of the genie’s power

But, once in thrall, love couldn’t stop

The destruction hour by hour

‘Think not badly of me

Enjoy the lives that you deserve

As I forfeited the rest of mine

I had nothing in reserve

Why? May be your question

It was something I did not know

Another darker side of life

Had to be allowed to show

I would have escaped if I could

The path was dark and drear

So, please, just for me, be happy

Shed not another bitter tear

I know your love was still there

You were hidden from my view

I am free, and have now learned

I am sorry and I still love you’

So the brother who was left

Woke from his sleepless dream

Gradually he understands and accepts

What is and what has been

He will always remember his brother

But now earlier pictures stay

Memories come to him, as if a gift

As he recalls many a happy day

A football game on the sand

The swimming in the sea

Good times cannot be removed

 Though new ones can never be

With them, happy memories bring

Feelings, from an inner store

Love can be reconnected

To the face you see no more

As you open up that cupboard

Remembering best days together

That warmth towards the lost one

Will help the grief to weather

 Copyright ACoatesworth 2013

See www.poemsforgrief.com