B rave brother of mine,

R isk what you will,

O nward to an unknown end.

T ension builds between us,

H eavy and looming,

E agerly descending,

R elentless on our shoulders.

A rmed are we for battle

G enerously prepared,

A ttacking at will,

I nstantly waging war,

N ever stopping,

S ibling against sibling,

T hen country against county.

B eaten and broken,

R obbed of our family ties,

O f our loving bond,

T riumph comes to no one.

H e who wages war

E xhausts his capacity for love,

R etreat my brother, as will I.

Lavender Leigh

January 25, 2004