To My Brother Richard
AFTER YOUR FATHER
After your father
You took your first steps
The moon made way
As bombs fell round you
You walked with tyranny
And took up arms
With no-one at your side
Still the warrior
Still the unnamed battle
You stumbled but never fell
You found a poet and a rainbow
Now all your losses
And all your secrets
Have brought me out
Of my darkness
In that one moment
On the dark tarmac
Of our dreams.
Does any bird
Sing sweeter
In any other land?
My life is held in a tear
As I see you now
Walking tall
You on your hill
Me on mine
It is the same hill
We are not alone
Anymore ...
More, yes
There is more
I love you
After your father.
By Larry Westland
First published Never Bury Poetry, Issue No 45, Diversions, Spring 2000
Copyright (C) Larry Westland 2007