Oh, Brother, Testify! Poem by Denis Martindale

An elder brother has the chance
To help his kith and kin advance,
Their very lives he can enhance,
Each choice is his alone...
An elder brother has the style,
The great charisma and the smile,
Or else deceit that can beguile,
Each choice is his alone...
An elder brother has the time,
Or makes it count so it's sublime,
Or else he's fallen into crime,
Each choice is his alone...

An elder brother finds the Lord,
Then lives his life in sweet accord,
Or else salvation gets ignored,
Each choice is his alone...
An elder brother leads the way,
To please the Lord by night and day,
Or else, like lost lambs go astray,
Each choice is his alone...
He can be glad, he can be grim,
Be brave and risk both life and limb,
In all things known, it's up to him,
Each choice is his alone...

And so it is, God grants us joys,
For all the children, girls and boys,
Brothers and sisters have the choice...
To make a happy home...
The blessed are those who live with love,
Who find the grace of Christ enough,
Until at last they rise above,
Unto God's Holy Throne...
What greater hope than Paradise?
What greater wisdom for the wise?
So live with love and just play nice...
The choice is yours alone...


Denis Martindale 9th of April 2016.