The Other Brother

The Other Brother

By P.A. Hanrion

Rich man or poor man now which will you choose

Be careful my son for with one you will lose

There were two worthy men; each chose a path to follow

One led a life of giving; his siblings’ days were hollow

“I’ll find a wife who is sweet, loving, righteous and kind

If her face or figure’s not perfect I won’t ever mind”

And after the years in his eyes her beauty blossomed and grew

From charity given... to him, their children and others they knew

The brother was searching for unparalleled perfection without flaw

Yet his eyes found blemish in whatever he saw

To his quest for precision he was prisoner more bound

He searched everywhere for the "one" who could never be found

The first man said, “I’ll give to my wife, my family and others”

He was cherished by his children, often hugged by his mother

And his days were busy and humble and lean

Yet he wasn’t resentful or hateful or mean

“I’ll share what ever I have, my goods and my talent”

He didn’t seem to mind his forever thin wallet

The giving man weary from a hard day’s work

Often shared with the sick, the needy, and even the jerk

On his death bed surrounded by loved ones and friends

He was joyful and thankful and smiled right up to the end

But the other brother hoarded knowledge his fate unfolds

He kept to himself, quickly grew lonely the story is told

He guarded his talents, he guarded his time

And still considered his life truly noble and fine

He lived by himself and was often alone

No one came to visit, no one ever phoned

In the end with regrets too many to number or list

He realized too late all the love he had missed

So he ended his life, fingers knarled and old

As desolate he counted his tarnished hard gold

Corrupted by greed and the company he kept

Only himself to converse with, no wonder he wept

He was all by himself as he sickened and died

No one to comfort, console, take care, or to cry

Oh! The path that you take and the choices you make

Lock your journey through time you can never forsake

So young men choose well for you can’t turn back

It is wise to be selfless though riches you lack