Quid pro quo, my twin bro

Youthful stupidity meant my twin brother and I almost grew apart, but age and time had some pleasant tricks up the sleeve

My mirror image in a rippling pond

Alike in looks, yet we pushed for space

Fought for dominance, to be up on the pace.

Quid pro quo, my twin bro.

 

Love mixed with envy

Me twinned with you

Trying to split one identity into two.

 

As we grew up we grew apart

I then found a lack of fire in my hearth

Reckless youth had cast aside the friendship from birth.

 

Relief, warm and cleansing, as we grew older

We got wiser, and the hearth began to smoulder.

 

You then heard for the first time your baby’s heartbeat.

Pride and love exploded through me; a fire within that wetted my eyes.

I realised my love for you was more than I loved myself

and you fathering a child was the most precious prize.

 

I stood back, admiring and proud you’d made the next step first,

Feeling a joy without caveat at how age has been our friend

The fire of our friendship renewed by another birth.

 

Author's Note

I'd appreciate thoughts, comments, views, questions (or answers!). Thanks for reading.

Reviews

[emmajoy]

We hear/read that twins are inevitably very close .. but for some it must be difficult to find personal space and place, so, yes, I can understand how you and your brother gradually moved out of each other's shadows. But, that birth, that baby .. a continuation of the line really has to be something to share and share strongly.

I've read this poem twice, once aloud .. and wonder if maybe it could be set in prose, some of the rhyming words are a little forced maybe. Nonetheless, it's a fine, fine piece of writing.

[Ian]

Wow this poem was awesome at first i thought you had a love for a woman but you talked about your friend and your relationship with him. And you witness the most beautiful thing the birth of a child. Great job i like this. Love your good words of choice. Quid Pro Quo

[AdvisorGirl]

Wow. In a way that happens to everyone that has siblings. It's good and true.