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News about My Brother

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Something’s wrong

She says it’s not COVID

Maybe something

With his heart

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They’re waiting for a bed

As all hospitals are

Currently, especially

Challenged

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This is my brother

The ablest of us:

Muscled

Well-groomed,

Building a life

From the Army to the factory

To executive positions

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Then when corporate-raiding

In the ‘80s ruined so many

Lives, he built a business

Helping children

Learn

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He married Beth

They have two children,

Sons (nephews) who

Are themselves husbands

And fathers now

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This news is not about me

But him and them,

And they are far away

Though hearts string us together

And certain rituals

From time to time

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Not me

But I am shaking with the news

And the frightened parts

Of my imagination

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Earlier this morning

(before the news),

I threw salt over

My left shoulder;

If it could help

Or a voodoo doll

Or a contract with a witch,

Then let it

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In the mean time

I’ll be praying

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In the mean time,

Please be praying for your own

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C L Couch

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Photo by Dušan Veverkolog on Unsplash

Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

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