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. : )

[Vatsal Rohilla (account..]

This is an impeccable and lovely piece of tribute to your brother. People call "Spider-man", "Superman" and other such characters superheroes, but are they so? Your brother is one for sure- a Medical Emergency Technician, Volunteered Fireman and an Auxiliary Police Officer. This makes him a real hero- one who actually does good to people and save them. Those who guard us, those who save our lives, those who stand by the border, those who sacrifice their lives- their today for our tomorrow- are the real heroes. Each one of us must draw inspiration from your brother and from you too. You can see how good your brother is, this makes you good too. A lovely free-verse poem. Thank you for sharing such a nice piece with us. Keep writing.

[Richard🖌]

I am ever-so grateful, Vatsal, for your words of appreciation and regard for my brother and this poem in true homage to him.
Many blessings to you, My Friend! ⁓ Richard

[R.M.C]

What a wonderful piece Richard; your love and admiration for your brother comes through vividly. The Metaphors throughout are superb. The constant references to superman really helps to express what a great person your brother is, how our own superheroes are those we respect, appreciate and admire, not those who just have a valuable skill or influence - it's our actions through life that really portray who we are, and you've made it clear that your brothers actions portray him as someone more worthy of idolization than most. Great write.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you dearly and sincerely, Ross …
You are a fine friend, one whom I greatly appreciate! ⁓ Richard

[R.M.C]

You are most welcome Richard. It's nice to hear how appreciated I am, especially from someone whom I greatly appreciate.