My brother is known
For his success
With the old people
Who talk of his smile
And generous nature
“a natural gentleman”
My brother is known
For his success
In relaxing conversation
Into the safe, bright
Places of an invitation.
“God gave him a lovely nature”
My brother is known
For his success
In talking with people.
Not like I, I, now folding
Love-lies into verses.
“He had the natural way of it”
My brother is known
For his success
In dying unnaturally
On his birthday.
Aged seven. I was five.
I inherit his nature’s remains.
Poet and arts journalist Hayden Murphy, born in Dublin, now resides in Edinburgh. Today’s poem is from Discovery: Location & Belonging (Roncadora Press), recently launched at the Irish Consulate in Edinburgh
For his success
With the old people
Who talk of his smile
And generous nature
“a natural gentleman”
My brother is known
For his success
In relaxing conversation
Into the safe, bright
Places of an invitation.
“God gave him a lovely nature”
My brother is known
For his success
In talking with people.
Not like I, I, now folding
Love-lies into verses.
“He had the natural way of it”
My brother is known
For his success
In dying unnaturally
On his birthday.
Aged seven. I was five.
I inherit his nature’s remains.
Poet and arts journalist Hayden Murphy, born in Dublin, now resides in Edinburgh. Today’s poem is from Discovery: Location & Belonging (Roncadora Press), recently launched at the Irish Consulate in Edinburgh
