My little legs fold underneath me
and I feel each paddle
sink into the deep water below.
slicing through the glass surface.

His hands flex around the handle,
a snake gripping around its prey
as we drift into the log.
A slight bump
in the calmness of that day.

He wraps the line around,
securing us
in the middle of the lake
in the middle of life.

He hooks a worm
to the end of my line
to protect me from the dangers
of the slimy monster
of the unknown.

I hook a fish
and reel in the surprise.
He watches from across the little boat
with only his eyes screaming congratulations.
He watches from across the state
with only his eyes screaming joy.

A successful day of fishing,
not left at the log,
but left in our hearts.

My little legs fold underneath me
as my brother paddles us
back to shore
to brave whatever comes next,
but always together.