Stream of consciousness poem -- part 64

Chapter 64

November 11, 2011 –  in the afternoon

It has been

Thirty days

Since the

Phone call

It has been

Thirty days

Since

My brother

Drank

Drano

It has been

Thirty days

And

Everything

Has changed

But

Thirty days

Have passed

And

Thirty days means

We have

Passed the

Window

We have passed

The point

When my brother

Could suddenly

Drop dead

From complications

Of drinking

Drano

We need

To celebrate

We need

To go out to

Dinner

Applebee’s

Offers a free dinner

To all veterans

Today

So today

My brother

Puts on

A well-worn uniform

That falls away from his

Lean frame

And he takes

The discharge papers

That I rescued

From his past

And we all

Go to

Dinner

While he waits

People approach him

And thank him

For his

Service

While he eats

They do

The same

These gestures --

More than the food --

Make my brother

 Proud to be who

He is

And

I think

Make him want

To be

Alive