Ode to My Brother

for years we have been kin;

separate but still living

in a notion that DNA will thicken

a bond that our circumstances

have given, but manipulation

keeps bending;

she’s tired of being the big sister

to the only big brother

she’s known;

God damn it

we’re grown,

your mistakes can no longer

be mine to own;

for days they've gone

not speaking;

her niece’s birthday

she’s been missing;

there’s no connection

to the family he’s created;

she’s  exhausted being the big sister

to the only blood she’s known;

God damned it;

You’re grown,

your mistakes are

yours and only yours

to own.