Sonnet XXIV: My Brother Bowed
©06-21-2020, Olan L. Smith, emended 6-21-21
My brother, dusk does comes before the night―
He traveled with me; I'll be afterward,
And hear the passing zephyrs' deep-sea flight
Reflect your purpose, forever 'tis concurred,
And watch your step, the pitfalls are deep,
An endless pit awaits at every turn,
Who's to say what darkness waits, I will weep!
Who lurks will fall into the fires that burn.
So, pass the fire and hurdle deities,
Until that too is quenched in holy water,
Reminders sparked a distant Pleiades
We had our time of glory, thus, my brother.
Time wrinkles justice, furrows brows of men,
Repent, our prejudice is scarred with sin.
Dedication: Walter William Smith, Jr. b. 1943 d. 6-21-2020 (by brother)