HOME | DD
peterdawes — To A Brother
by-nc-nd
Published: 2008-03-20 06:10:40 +0000 UTC; Views: 451; Favourites: 11; Downloads: 2
Redirect to original
Description
Faded, yellow pages in a leather bound book.Old, familiar lines of prose I've revisited
Time and time again.
Each sentence, read a thousand times
Yet each thought possessing wisdom
I could only hope to attain someday.
It's been the best of friends for years.
Through travels, travails
Tumultuous seasons of grief
When the mortal world of indecision
Has threatened to rend me apart
The binding has been visible upon my shelf.
Pages somewhat dog-eared
Undoubtedly some of its creases due to me.
For how often I've plucked it
From amidst the other volumes I possess.
And how often I've dusted off its cover
To glean knowledge from inside.
Yet, it has given me that which I've asked for.
Without issuing protest or argument.
The binding creaking ever so slightly
But the contents spilling forth truth.
A mirror formed by paragraphs and lines.
Reflecting a lost and troubled soul.
Words I've not wanted to hear.
Words I've needed just the same.
Words of consolation and words of admonishment
Perfectly penned pearls of insight
A book can only possess when its contents
Are weathered by ages long since passed.
It's required no gratitude for its services
Yet, I pluck it from the shelf just the same
Not to indulge in the normal usury I demand of it.
But simply to show my appreciation.
For being a companion all these years.
Even when I've not returned the favor.
From the younger to the older
The second to the first
Another chapter awaits the pen strokes
Of a master wordsmith
A calm and patient brother.
A wise and gracious friend.
Happy Birthday.
Related content
Comments: 23
Very thought provoking and emotional. I like it. ^_^
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
The way it's written sounds so natural even with the occasional series of alliteratives ^_^ I love it.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
The alliteration was purely accidental at first. But, I quite liked they way they turned out. Robin enjoys literary devices himself, so I assumed he would approve.
Thank you kindly for the favorite, dear.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Accidental alliteration is always the best ^_- it can seem too obvious otherwise.
You're very welcome ^_^
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Words I've not wanted to hear.
Words I've needed just the same.
This speeds up and reaches great heights at this point. I would love to hear it read in your voice - to get the rise and fall of the words... This is very well done - a labor of love. As much as the old book is loved - the "younger to the older" expresses it more,
PS -I am sure that you have returned the favor, in ways you have never thought of - and will never know.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I can only hope such is the case.
Thank you kindly for reading it and offering your thoughts. I speak in a proper, subtly dramatic, sort of voice if that influences the reading at all. A low tenor. (Although you'd hardly wish to hear me sing. 
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
What do we learn from both old books and more experienced brothers? (Note, I didn't say old brothers. I like Robin and wouldn't want to piss him off.) Obviously something extremely important in your case. This appears to be more than just a birthday tribute. Methinks there is a secret between these lines. Something that binds you two together more strongly than simply a need for a brotherly companion. Time will tell. For now, let me lend my birthday wishes to yours, and wish Robin a long -- very long -- second reincarnation. BTW, which date are you celebrating? His human birth? His birth as an immortal? Or his rebirth after being so prematurely dispatched by Flynn?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
*chuckles* His immortal birthday as it originally stands. We. . . attempt not to speak of that one debacle. And he claims he's forgotten his mortal birthday, although I suspect the man is lying. Robin remembers what he had for breakfast every morning prior to being sired. I highly doubt his birthday has been so easily forgotten.
I dare say it is impossible to piss Robin off. And perhaps that is the adhesive which binds us. He is the one being on this mortal coil I have managed not to vex to alienation. Although, "baby brother" gives him several headaches along the way.
I shall pass along your well wishes. He will certainly appreciate them.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Well, depending on exactly when he was born, recalling what he ate for breakfast every day might not be such a challenge. I mean, how many ways were there to make gruel? (Oh, she tempts the big brother's patience, methinks.)
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Oh heavens... I must tell him you said that, if just to see his reaction. He will be humorously crestfallen.
He recalls eating biscuits before departing for university. I imagine him a tea drinker as well. That certainly fits the bill for a professor in the waning years of the 19th century, right?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
That it would. Very "Brit" of him. Don't tease him too much about his age though. I like the guy and look forward to learning more about him in future.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
If we didn't tease one another, I would begin to suspect I had truly done something terrible to him. And he would begin to suspect I was depressed again.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Good point. That is the way with friends, isn't it? No hiding anything from those perceptive eyes and ears.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Quite so. Can fool everyone else. But he still sees me fiddle with the ring and sigh when nobody's looking.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Not in the slightest. He tolerates me just the same.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
well, there's toleration, and then there's being a good brother. i happen to think you're the latter.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
You flatter me, Lindsay. 
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
A sweet ode to books and writing, it captures well the connection we have to them.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Of books and brothers... what would we do without both?
👍: 0 ⏩: 0