Too Soon

In 2003,
I watched my brother die,
From a long-term
Incurable disease.
He was way too young.
He'd only just
Turned sixty.

He fought a battle
For a couple years
And I can say,
It was a mighty one,
That
I recall with loving tears.

There was never victory
Because
No success
Can be expected
When you're consumed
By ALS.

The toughest part
Was in
Those final months,
Filled with raging
Irritation,
Frustration,
Alienation,
At the loss of communication.

You see
His mind was very clear,
No speech,
But he could hear.

As slurs changed to grunts,
Than a pen and paper,
Then a machine that typed words,
He became,
A mind,
Trapped in a useless body.

And you would realize within those wise old eyes,
That he was captured within his own mind

Today
My heart still cries.
We've had
Our last goodbyes.
I know
His soul's imprint

Never

Dies.