Close To God

Big brother, little sister

Thirteen and eight

An hour or two

Is how long they usually wait

The big brother makes sure they get up early

So they’re never too late

Big brother, little sister

Thirteen and eight

The soup line is usually long

But today isn’t the same

On December 25th

People are a little less ashamed

Pride has to be swallowed

Parents have to refrain

Letting your kids starve on Christmas

Would be hard to explain

But Bobby isn’t worried

About all that foolish pride

He’s been knocked down, knocked out

Constantly denied

He’s had one thing on his mind

Since his parents died

Making sure nothing happens

To the Angel by his side

He knows he is lost

And will never be found

But his sister will have a chance

As long as he is around

She looks up to his every move

His every sound

She always feels safe

As long as he is around

After two foster homes

The beatings and abuse

He took her, they ran

Just their clothes and their shoes

He will never go back

He will always refuse

As long as he has her

There is too much to lose

They may be hungry, may be cold

But at least they are free

He tells her it will get better

But this is how it must be

He wishes he could wipe away the past

And he knows she would agree

It kills him to know

The things she had to see

At thirteen he is stronger

Than any grown man

The things he has been through

Are not meant to understand

In his heart he feels cursed

He feels he is damned

He only feels close to God

When he is holding her hand.

Jessie B. Byers