To My Brother Poem by B. V. Dahlen

You pulled my hair and made me cry.
You took my doll away.
You tattled and made faces,
And wouldn't let me play,

But later you stood up for me
When others knocked me down.
You tickled, and you joked to cure
My tempers and my frown.

You criticized my hairstyles.
You taught me how to dance.
You cautioned me to take it slow,
When I sought out romance.

Suspicious, you checked out my dates,
And questioned their intentions.
You listed rules for them to heed,
And threatened interventions.

I saw the pride shine in your eyes
As I walked down the aisle.
You commandeered our special dance,
And we performed with style.

We danced again your wedding day,
The day you took a bride.
I watched you raise your family,
And wept the day you died.

There is a section of my heart
That you had always filled.
Where once dwelt fondest memories
A bitter corner chilled.

Where is my nemesis, my thorn?
My taunter and my crutch?
My hero and my champion,
I miss you oh so much.