The road lays open in
Front of us. The light of
Early morning, or sometimes
Even the glow of late
Day, lights up our path.

The steady beating of our
Shoes against the
Seemingly endless road,
Like a heartbeat fills
The air.

I look left and see him breathing steadily,
Keeping up his pace. He is my
Brother and this is our way of
Bonding, running through the
Neighborhood in which we grew up.

Sometimes we speak, but
There is not always the
Need for words. This is our
Bond, one of our few
Common interests.

Since he left a year and
A half ago, he’s faster and
Has better stamina, but I always
Keep up. I have to, we need
This sometimes.

When he’s away, I find myself
Making my way down the familiar path,
In the familiar light, with my feet
Pulsing familiarly, but I look to the left and see
The empty space and it’s just not the same.