I NEVER HAD

I never had a big brother

I never had

Someone to look up to;

Someone to protect me

When the world got too small

And the bullies too big.

I never had

Someone to show me

The ways of boys;

The ways of men;

And how to navigate

The gulf between.

I never had

Someone to hold me

Or dope slap me

When I was being a goofball.

I never had

Someone to tell me

I was all right;

That my secrets

Wouldn’t consign me to hell.

I never had

Someone to assure me

I was loved

Regardless of what I thought;

Regardless of what I was;

Regardless of what I did.

I never had

A big brother.

I never had.

-January 28, 2013

Chip Bergeron