My Brother

We knew his end was coming.
But it still snuck up on us.
His body wore out before time due.

We knew his end was coming.
But we knew he was ready to go too.
His last laughs and smiles left in a pocket forever.

Our end will come someday too.
But the feathers keep flying for now.
Tattooed to keep us strong every day.

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This poem was awarded People's Choice (Teacher) for Poetry Object 2019