EVERYDAY HERO (my brother)

Free Verse

----------=†~~EVERYDAY HERO~~†=----------

---= My brother, Tom =---

==--†--==
As unbelievably fantastic
and crazy as it sounds,
I’ve heard
that Superman paddles a canoe,
that he drives around
in an old van,
and I know it’s true.
=-0-=
'Cause, I’ve actually met him
and seen him in action,
in potentially
life-altering moments …
flying to the rescue,
arms loaded with tools,
a heart loaded with
loving care.
=-0-=
He's even made real life
personal appearances at my place,
coming to my aide,
instantly there like a speeding-bullet,
to help finish
some wayward project
he had never dreamed of
or could have imagined he'd be
summoned for.
=-0-=
But, he stormed right in, anyway,
powerful and swift,
like the fabled locomotive,
never complaining or giving up
until it is all set right,
until the job is finished …
like the hero he is,
he's always been.
=-0-=
I even saw him
braving God's weather,
when the wind was thirty-below
on his land and in his home,

as well-as his neighbors',
coming to theirs and his own rescue,
when all the odds

were stacked against him.
=-0-=
Then, I’ve seen him surrounded
by challenges …
some that must have
seemed like piles of kryptonite,
that would crush a lesser-man,
and still land gracefully,
smiling broadly, confidently,
in the Texas sunshine.
=-0-=
He’s been known
to ride the interstate undaunted,
literally for days,
just to rescue loved-ones,

and those he didn't even know,
in their most dire straights,
during an otherwise
omnipotently-powerful storm,
that even dared attempt
to penetrate
his tempered-metal.
=-0-=
I’ve seen him
leap hundreds of miles
just to scale a tall ladder
for an ailing brother,
or to soothe a worried mother's
cares and woes.
=-0-=

He may not have

the very best singing voice,

but he takes his guitar

to the old folks' home every week

and entertains them for hours,

from his unselfish,

caring heart.

=-0-=
Heroes don’t always wear
designer monogrammed tights
with red, flowing capes,
and live in ice-carved caverns.
=-0-=
Sometimes, they even wear
blue jeans, tee-shirts,
and sturdy sandals,
living in a self-made home,
way out in the far hills
searching for better ways
to answer the desperate signals
of those of us helpless …
in utter-despair.
…-..--.---=--==-===†===-==--=---.--..-…
==--0--==
=-*-=


Richard W. Jenkins
©2016
"My brother, Tom, is my hero, and I'd do anything for him.

He's a State Certified Emergency Medical Technician,

Volunteer Fireman, and an Auxiliary Police Officer.

I don't need Superman, Spiderman, Batman, or
Captain America …  I have the Real Deal!"

Author's Note

Please, offer any helpful suggestions or critique you believe will help improve my writing skills! : )

Reviews

[GreenShoes]

What a wonderful tribute to your brother, and what an amazing guy he is!

Speaking of family, I saw that picture of your Welsh ancestors, and if I'm not mistaken, the Welsh are noted for being great poets. :) I know one who used to be on Wattpad, his name is Paul Tristram. His poetry was very exciting to me, and I even helped him pick out which of his poems should be in his book. :)

[Richard🖌]

Karen, my brother and I thank you most warmly and gratefully for your lovely, inspiring praise. : )

Wales is, indeed, known for their great poets, and renown singers, as-well:

POETS
Dylan Thomas
RS Thomas
Roald Dahl
Owen Sheers
Beatrix Potter
Gillian Clarke
Dannie Abse
Dafydd ap Gwilym
Sarah Waters
CS Lewis

SINGERS
Tom Jones
Charlotte Church
Katherine Jenkins
Jem
Mary Hopkin
Siân Phillips
Stefan Pejic
Steve Balsamo

Lucky you, to be privileged in reading Paul's work, and to pick poems for his book. : )

[Jamestown]

What a fantastic tribute piece to your brother:)
I could feel the proud love you have for him,
this piece definitely made me think of my late
brother, he was my hero as well.
Thanks for sharing and b-blessed!

[Richard🖌]

Thanks, My Friend!
It is a pleasure to write and share with you.
Bless you and your excellent brother … we'll never forget them, will we?

There's no one like 'em! ⁓ Richard : )

[Susan 🦋]

You are so blessed!!! and so am I!!! I only have brothers and were are as close as can be!! I love them like crazy. Your brother sounds like quite a man, loving and caring with a beautiful giving heart.

[Richard🖌]

Yes, it seems we both are!
I'm very lucky to have such a brother … thanks for the read and nice comments.

[Renée]

It is nice to "meet" your brother Tom , through your eyes ( :
Siblings should be precious relationships, your love and adoration for your brother, beams in this piece. I smiled as I read, because even a "everyday hero" needs a beam, in my minds eye, I can see you as little boy turning your flashlight onto Tom.. Ta Da.. his beam. ( : Quite a guy, your brother, Tom, Thank God for men like him !
I do hope you shared this with him. Displaying your sketching of Tom & his guitar, is a lovely touch. Smiles

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Lady Renée! : )
Again, you've come along and left the sensation of your appreciation and understanding for one of my humble little pieces.
This homage to my brother, Tom, is as intrinsically real as anything I could have mustered-up on his behalf to exemplify his nature and the marvelous person he's become.
Your expressed grattiude "for men like him" is truly rewarding and sooo very deserved.

Hugs and blessings, M'Dear Renée … you've blessed my heart with a glowing smile! ⁓ Richard

[Richard🖌]

BTW: Tom was the first to receive and read it. : )

[Philip Muls]

A great and very authentic tribute to a brother.

I like the real world examples mixed with the references to a superhero.

This poem gives warmth to the heart.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you most gratefully, Philip!
How gratifying it is to know you found favor in the metaphors to Brother Tom as a super hero, and more-so that the entirety of this piece has suitably warmed your heart.

Many thankful blessings to you, My Fine Friend! ⁓ Richard

[Dave]

Richard -
What a marvelous tribute to your brother. It's a shame that too often we search for heroes in so many wrong places and miss seeing those that are there for us everyday. Doing the countless, often thankless tasks that inundate so many of us. Your brothers' helping, caring and I'm sure at his own sacrifice makes him one of of great unsung heroes.
Thank you so much for sharing him and your love for him with us.

[Richard🖌]

Dave,
That you stand high enough to see and pay your own homage to all the unsung Toms out there, who are the real givers that allow us takers to prosper and enjoy our lifestyles, speaks volumes of your own acknowledgment and gratitude.

For my sharing, you are welcome, as I most gracious thank you for yours, My Friend! ⁓ Richard

[Dave]

It''s always a pleasure to converse with you. It has been a while though.
Take care, my friend - Dave

[barleygirl]

This is definitely the most originally-stated piece of yours I've read so far! I love the way you start out with the Superhero analogy, which is well-woven thru-out. Your tribute brings your brother to life with many examples of how he gave of himself for people in need. Our world needs many more of these types of people, often unsung heroes. But in this case, you're singing a beautiful song for your beloved bro. Thanks for sharing this. You're blessed to have this example in your life.

[AYVID N]

There are amazing souls in this world, sometimes right next to us and we go looking for heroes in red capes and blue tights. The poem is a fitting tribute to the love and regard you have for a wonderful and selfless brother. An unsung hero, he deserves all the praise and acknowledgement he deserves, for the exemplary life he leads. Appreciated so much...A heartfelt thanks for letting us know him. God bless him abundantly.

[Richard🖌]

Oh, Dearest Divya!
Your own words of grateful and acknowledged, recognition, and appreciation for my brother and all those of his kind touches and embraces me more warmly than any others I can conceive of, but that is just how beautiful,unselfish, and giving you are … hugs 'n warmest blessings, M'Very Sweet Lady! ⁓ Richard

[Lydia Shutter]

The respect and love you have for your brother shines in this incredible tribute. Actions speak louder than words when it comes to showing the character of a person. Obviously your brother is a special man...and certainly a super hero! Lydi**

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Lydi Dear! : )
How happy it makes me knowing we see eye-to-eye on anything; especially, when it comes to my amazing brother, Tom.
I know he would surely love your comments about him, as I do … though, because his deep sense of humility, he may never tell you, except to let you know in some special way his kind do.
Thank you, Lady Lydi, for your heartfelt compliment, too … happy hugs to You! ⁓ Richard

[J. J. Nightingale]

Sounds like a wonderful Man....................

The LOVE shines through..Well Done


Jazzy

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Jasmine! : )
How very wonderful and thoughtful of you to read and comment on this one for me, to discern my affection … for your lovely praise, too.
It really means a lot to me … warmest, most thankful smiles 'n hugs to you! ⁓ Richard

[J. J. Nightingale]

:)........................................