To A Brother Who Went To War (An Acrostic Poem) Poem by Ferdinand L Quintos

Gone you have been for many many years,
but in my heart’s eyes still burn the tears,
in war, on the line your life you did lay,
felled not by bullet but by malady,
you lost your dear life at an early age
but it can not be considered wastage,
you fought hard with uncommon gallantry
all for your love for freedom and country.

I saw you in life only twice, brother,
first time at your house one summer,
standing under the bamboo door frame
of your house, with father, you asked my name,
your head did not touch the top of the wall
but then I reckoned you were ten-feet tall,
next you were already in a coffin
lying pale and lifeless, but so serene.

Leaves, one by one, fall from a tree mighty,
‘neath its shade they are eaten by decay
but not wasted, humus they turn into
to nourish the big tree’s other leaves too,
we lost you, but you drew God’s compassion
and greatly assuaged our affliction,
He showered father with many blessings,
a big boon to us all, your half-siblings.

(My brother's name is spelled by the first letter of the first line of each stanza.)