For Mark

For when my brother dies,
I shall cry tears of stone,
Never will I have felt so alone
And my heart will try to be hard.

For when my brother dies,
No more late-night Monopoly and after
Bacon and eggs with a cup of laughter,
The yolk of dawn just breaking.

For when my brother dies,
I shall cry a city of tears
Then put on a smile, hide all my fears,
if only I could, if only.

For when my brother dies,
No more hate and family spite,
Now I’m fine, everything’s all right
But I will miss the making up.

For when my brother dies,
I shall cry blades of grass,
People will be polite, dare not ask
Why my garden overgrows.

For when my brother dies
I shall have no other brother,
No other to hug and to hold
And I the younger
am the one who will grow old.