My older brother died
When I was nine
He got the cancer
And died on a Tuesday
My father cried
I never saw him cry before
He never cried after
He and mom felt guilty
Like they were being punished
Like they did something wrong
What did they do wrong
They did the best they could
With what God gave them
I don't remember if I cried
He had been sick for three years
I was only nine
I got two weeks off from school
I spent the next thirteen years
Trying to be my brother
Then I was left alone
My brother and father were gone
I was an empty shell
What was I supposed to do
Where was I going
I cried for two years
And drank for ten more


