I'll Be Just Like Big Brother

I wish I were big brother,

With all that you do.

I’m just little me

And that’s ok, too.

I’ll be just like you,

When I grow up, see.

Every new thing you learned

You then taught it to me.

We fought dragons together,

And injuns, made stands

Against thousands of villains

With just our bare hands!

You taught me to be brave,

Whether telling the truth,

In admitting to cheating

when there wasn’t proof,

Being kind to the bullies,

When it wasn’t so cool,

Helping me with my homework

long nights after school,

Teaching me that a boy is as good as his word,

Even if that means he’s often not heard,

Not first picked for the team,

Not the popular Jok,

Not praised for his goodness

But laughed at…you taught

Me that right is much better than wrong,

For though in the moment

you’re teased by the throng,

Later, when those kids

are strung out on drugs,

Or dumped by their friends

and become more like thugs,

Then you get promoted,

Respected because

Of your strong character

And your great acts of love.

Thank you, my brother,

For teaching me all

The things that you learn

When you have to stand tall

For you’ve kept me from doing

All the wrong things I would

If I didn’t have you

To show me what was good.