Love Poem: Brotherly Love
Joyce Johnson Avatar
Written by: Joyce Johnson

Brotherly Love

We’ve heard of brothers who didn’t love
but hated their siblings instead.
And there were some who went so far 
as to want a brother dead.

Cain slew Abel, Romulus killed Remus
Jacob tricked his brother Esau.
And brother killed brother in Civil War,
worst the country ever saw.

But this is not the way it should be
and my own dad and mother
raised five sons who didn’t quarrel.
Each one truly loved the other.

They were taught the Bible story
told by the man with many sons.
A bundle of sticks can’t be broken
but you easily snap just one.

My brothers all stayed friends for life
and no one came between them. 
I miss their jokes and jovial talk,
its so long now since I’ve seen them.

Brother love is a wonderful thing
and I saw it personified
in my big loving brothers
until the day the first one died.

Their circle became a bit smaller
as they left it one by one.
Now my younger brother, sister and I
have a circle of our own.

By Joyce Johnson  April 22, 2011
For Miranda's "Brotherly Love " Contest