My heart beats so badly,
the bars of its rib cage
are breaking.

My hands feel so empty,
the leaves of their life lines
are shaking.

Reaching to be free,
they can only go so far.

You were my brother.
You were my mirror.
You were once near.
Now you are nearer.

--------------------------

I'm so sorry, Joe, from one brother to another.

This is for Dan, as well as my own brother who passed away many years ago. He was my first superhero. Sometimes I think he'll be my last, in a sense. He was also born in 1974.

They live on as long as we remember them.