Brother

A Poem by Riley Jules

My poem to my little brother who is my everything, and how my depression interferes with my relationships with those I love.

Dear little brother,
the day you were born,
I held you close to my heart,
to protect you from the storm.
I kept watch over you always,
through thick and thin,
no matter what trouble came,
we would always conquer and win.
I loved you not only with my heart,
but with my very soul,
as tantalizing as all brothers are,
teaching you right was my goal.
Then one day the winds grew fierce,
I tried to keep you safe from harm,
but the darkness growing inside of me,
became something I could not disarm.
My content grew to shame,
and my free spirit grew trapped,
the faith you had inside of me,
seemed to vanish in a snap.
I know you can't understand,
you are still so very young,
but even though my illness seems to consume me,
my hope has also sprung.
Please know I'm fighting for you,
you are the sun to my earth,
without you in my life,
nothing would have any worth.
I'm sorry if I have hurt you,
I wish I could be strong,
but just know I've always loved you,
just in case something with me shall go wrong.