Poem-A-Day

Ode to Little Brothers

by Mimi Moriarty

Pain in the neck when little, 

underfoot menaces, silent troublemakers,

invasive peekers and spyers and hangers-on.

They grow into competent men, strong, funny,

wielders of mechanical prowess, provider of nieces

and their own interpretation of family lore.  

They become helpmates, giving advice,

giving directions, steering

your silver body to a shaded tree.

Their temporary absence leaves an empty pocket, 

a hushed day of fallen leaves, while the woodland 

remains unexplored, unhunted, unidentified.  

It’s as simple as breath, as obvious, 

they are your constancy.  You overlooked them 

for too many years, but as you age in place, 

they continue to grow and expand,

and as you grasp for memories, 

they fill in the plots.  

Stitches of laughter, stitches of light, 

strong enough to sustain your dwindling part, 

and your faithful, flickering heart.

~

Mimi Moriarty lives in a log home on an escarpment overlooking the Hudson Valley.  She has authored or co-authored three poetry chapbooks:  Sibling Revery (co-authored with her brother, Frank Desiderio) and War Psalm, Finishing Line Press, and Crows Calling, Foothills Publications.  She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College, Plainfield, VT, and has had numerous poems, short stories and articles published in anthologies, magazines and newspapers throughout the country.