My Brother Paul

I still remember that day in December

When you pretended to fall on the stairs

You said you were scared that the top of your head

Was open and bared itself to the air

I can cry if I try

But I lie awake at night

You said that you tripped on a box that he shipped

Before he committed himself to the war

I was at work and believed you were hurt

'Til I saw that dirt from a hole in the yard

I was still crying and you were still lying

The following morning out there in the hall

Where it was painful to watch you arrange

Those portraits you painted of my brother Paul

I can cry if I try

But I lie awake at night

I can't believe that I was deceived

That day we received that present from Paul