The Brotherhood of Former Glory

Photo by Denniz Futalan

Do you remember the friends you had when you were young? The other boys in the neighborhood who helped you fill up those long summer days with glorious frivolity and adventure? They were always there…until they were gone. Some of your most intense memories probably involve these friends, but do you know where any of them are now? Are they even still alive?

I wrote this poem to capture that feeling.

The Brotherhood of Former Glory

Summer sealed brotherhoods bolder than blood
When swords of wood vanquished villains and guns 
Of flesh and plastic never shot a dud.
Each day stretched decades, cured in endless suns.
The evergreen stretched to the sky, our base,
Our fort, our second home. Its tapestry
Of needles woven wide and thick, to embrace,
Protect, guard. Happy prisoners were we.
We never swept the brown blanket, the floor
Of fallen green and former glory. Dry
And calm it stayed, even in hard rain, nor
Did stomping feet raise more than whispered sigh.
The tree still stands alive. But does my friend?
These frayed and forgotten bonds – childhood’s end.