Exceptional Forgiveness after a death. Tangled Roots In Repose by LisaMay Rhyme writing prompt entry

My brother’s lying elsewhere, finished with travail and care, while I am here and not there. He’s in another country, in the heart of family. I’m just a twig on life’s tree. I’ve come to grieve and take stock; I need to settle my shock. Can such tangled roots break rock? My heart is a frozen stone. It’s good that I’m here alone; my feelings will not be shown. I walk among local graves. Is it true that Jesus saves cheats and liars, all such knaves? My brother did not love me; our minds could never agree. Between us no jollity. Struggling through all of the years, he never allayed my fears; cruel words delivered more jeers. Our distance kept us apart, in miles as well as each heart. We did not seek a fresh start. But now I do have regret that our needs were never met. It’s too late – that sun has set. As these autumn leaves well know, they can’t keep up with the show. I’ll have to let it all go. The birds serenade above; in this place of death there’s love to provide a gentle shove. Forgiveness undoes the pain; with peace I can then regain joy to sing a new refrain.  The tree above me is old; if it could talk, I’d be told to grow up, stand tall, be bold. I bury my hurt at last; it belongs back in the past. Onto love we must hold fast. Writing Prompt Write a rhyming poem, any length, About a member or members, of your family. Must rhyme, method of rhyme left to writer Author Notes Author's Notes: This line: "in the heart of family. I'm just a twig on life's tree", refers to the fact that my brother (2 years older than me) had lots of family members - a wife, children and grandchildren - while I do not have a partner or children. I am a family of one - a twig, not a branch of the family tree. It becomes apparent in this poem that my brother and I were not close. He did things that were upsetting to me and to other people. But it was still a shock when I was told he had died, and it had an emotional impact on me. I went for a walk in a local graveyard after hearing the news, just to think about life, death and forgiveness, and realised what a waste of time and energy it is to harbour grudges.

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