'The Weathered Man' & other works by Diego Reyes

The Jawbone

It is with a heavy heart's mind

And a woeful brother's pen

That I share and write down

That you - of all men-

Are whom I am bound.

I knew from when you were born

You will contest

You will compete

You will protest

You will ill-treat

Me, the other,

You call brother

& Dress in scorn.

History has proven that we are not strange.

We are but victims to a last name's curse.

A name that ties your violent rage

To my heavy-hearted reason for this verse.

There you stand as Cain

And I your Abel.

Who would live in worry that in vain,

You would summon a death knell.

To see me in pain - I can tell -

Would ring your bell.

For Shakespeare could never pen

This tale of tragedy between two men.

And in moments when you gaze at me

A Mercutio looks for the eyes of Romeo

But sees a friend becoming a foe

With his face now reddened

Drawing his sword as Edmund.

Familial blood pumps from the heart, it's true

But love will go wherever I choose.

Forgiveness is not easily won,

For I know your fires will go on,

Alas, you are your father's son.

There are days I recognize your good.

Days I celebrate

Days I would halt if I could.

Though you change your weathers,

And instead of drowning from your restless tide -

I'm forced to love at a distance,

Wishing to be at your side.

Knocking at my door, I pray

To know if it's you with kindness

Or a storm you bring at bay.

Though with heavy hearted courage

I brave your winds; I brave your waves.

I withstand your wretchedness

Because I know in the mist of this

Your sun will stretch it's rays

Even for just a moment's haste.

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