Week 41: Brothers in Arms

 


Brothers in Arms, 

My dad’s favourite song. 

I think of it when I see the pair of you. 

 

Nine months ago, 

Kit didn’t seem to get the memo –

‘Life must return to normal’ –

He still practised social distancing

When it came to you.

 

On his first visit to see you in hospital, 

He looked tentatively over the cot 

At you the alien concept:

A spindly creature from the fallopian tube.

You –

that had come to Earth

And threatened the whole

Course of existence.

A parasite that survived on attention-

The only way to defeat it: ignore you.

 

Yet,

Each month Kit has inched closed. 

From afar to near to beside to next. 

The preposition has changed with time. 

Familiarity – it seems - doesn’t always breed contempt,

Sometimes it breeds family.

 

So today,

You sit together.

Touch-tight, 

Tight-knit, 

Knitted by

Fraternal bonds.


The journey of in-jokes, shared secrets,

Conspiratorial glances, play fights,

having each other’s backs

Begins

Now.


Brothers in arms.

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