Big Brother (a poem)

Big Brother

Written March 23rd, 2011

I grew up an only child
Among adults, coinciding in their world
I followed their example
Reading and writing preferred over play
I liked to learn new vocabulary
Instead of playing with dolls all day

I often wished on lonely days
Hanging upside-down off the couch
To amuse myself
With only T.V. for company
That I had a brother.
Perhaps a little one would be nice
To look after like the adults looked after me
But a big one would also suffice
He would play with me and protect me

Despite my lack of experience
I was loved in school
Perhaps it was my adult-ness,
My leadership, that they liked
Whatever it was
You had it too
Cuz you liked me
And everyone liked you
You were my best friend
Partners in crime
Stick together till the end
You played with me
Always knew how to make me laugh
You protected me
From the bully on the bus
Who wanted my lunch money
And he looked up to you enough
To listen and leave me be

I often wished on lonely days
Hanging upside-down off the couch
To amuse myself
With only T.V. for company
That you were there with me
To play cards or tell a story
I wished you were my big brother
Sharing this adult house
You were a friend like no other
You always protected me

Due to my lack of experience
I was rejected in school
Perhaps it was my maturity,
My solitude, that they hated
Whatever it was
It jeopardized you
You liked me
But no one else did
You found other best friends
Partners in crime
Stick together till the end
Because playing with me
Would only get you laughed at
And protecting me was stupid
You were the bully on the bus
Who wanted my lunch money
And everyone feared you enough
To laugh and refuse to stop you

I often wished on lonely days
Hanging upside-down off the couch
To amuse myself
With only T.V. for company
That I had a brother
To play cards with and tell stories
Who would beat you up
For betraying me
A friend like no other
Who would always protect me