LENA ALYAAN

author ~ poet ~ comic artist

 

Growing Little Brothers

 

I used to tell him stories to help him sleep at night,
He was scared of the dark, so I’d cuddle with him tight.
I’d tell him about dinosaurs, I’d tell him about space,
And he’d listen with wonder all over his face.
I’d take him to the movies, I’d take him to the fair,
And he’d willingly come with me almost anywhere.
We’d watch cartoons then discuss them for hours,
Our favorite characters and our favorite powers,
We’d play hide-and-seek and make-believe.
I’d hold him in my arms and he’d never leave.

But everything’s changed now that he’s older,
He’s a lot more distant and definitely colder.
No more fun outings, he calls them lame,
He’d rather stay home and play on his games.
When I try to hug him, he would push me away,
He never wants to talk, and never wants to play.
He tells me that’s kid stuff and now he’s grown.
And talks about things only adults should know.

And the symbol that had marked our friendship forever,
A wrist band we’d wear whenever wherever
We had promised to cherish it at any cost.
I still wear mine, but he said his was lost.

I guess it shouldn’t faze me, everyone grows up
All innocence fades, but it still kinda sucks. 
No matter if he’s 18, no matter if he’s eighty
He’s my little brother and he’ll always be my baby.
But he grows older and distant, no closeness or touch,
Be small again, be mine again, stop growing so much.

 

I guess I’ll accept it; that’s just the way it is
He’s my best friend, but I’m no longer his.