When fear held my hand,
you wrestled your demons,
to pull me away.

In times I saw only darkness,
you reminded me that
black was made of all colours.

The days I missed my
father shoulders,
you lent me your back.

I never feared the
path before me, as I could see
the outline of your footsteps.

When distance created emptiness,
you reminded me that family
is connected by love, not space.

Those times I wondered,
if water could thin blood,
you used it instead,
to wash away my anxiety.

You have always been by my side,
a friend, a parent and a brother,
playing each part as needed
a protector in them all.

© Manivillie Kanagasabapathy

AN: My lovely older brother’s birthday today. Wishing him the best!