Two Brothers

Two brothers
On a different course
One in the Old World
The other starting an adventure,
With a rapidly approaching
Landmark ahead.

The Statue of Liberty
Torch held high,
Warm and welcoming,
To those with hopes and dreams
For a new life shining,
Just like that torch
Raised to the sky.

Back in the Old World
Life continued as before,
In a monotonous
Regularity struggling
To earn a living, but,
Secure in tradition and
Democracy.

Across the ocean,
The optimism was waning
As work was hard to gain.
No food to eat
Or, a place to sleep
Pan handling waiting
And praying.

The brother back home,
No change
Working hard,
The economy bad,
Hanging in there.
Surviving.

The dream is close,
As a good job is found
Wall Streets promise
Now seems real
Working hard,
Security is close
To a new home of his own.

Sickness hits.
Both sides of the World.
One brother is in on a list,
The other is rejected,
Insurance declined.
Cost out of control
Job gone
Dream shattered.

A couple of months later
In the shadow
Of a gleaming hospital
It is too late
As life ebbs away.
The other in an old ward,
Gains strength and health,
Soon back to work
Living in The old World.

He mourns his kin
Who left him for good.
The choice for gold
Taking all away
As bank accounts grew
He withered away.

Jan 29th 2012, The Woodlands, TX

-Richard