Brother Poem by Joseph White

Baby shoes in a drawer
a brush and a lock of hair
in a box and put away
for one that has gone, a baby lost

Only these things remain
kept safe to save the memory
in her heart where a hole was left
and the pain is never ending

If she can see his things
somehow the sting is lessened
when a blanket can be touched and smelled
a mother's strife fades to love

Still, she weeps and wishes it were
her life that left and not his
love so strong can heal or harm
but when the small one was torn from her arms
only agony followed

Arms that held the soul of her womb
never to return for her to see, smile and love
she, too, is gone now
maybe they are finally together at last
at least that is my prayer