respiration

i only have one brother ;
i know with some certainly
i no longer have a mother
either loving or damaged;
it’s probable my father too
long estranged from us
is also particulates of dust
blowing in the streets
of whatever city he fled to
when he gave up his parental
benedictions & obligations
shortly after Rueben arrived ;
& i have one new acquaintance
who for all his overwhelming irritations
may yet become a lifelong friend ;
yet all i require at this moment
is the chance to catch breath ,
a semi-second’s rest , a mid-act
intermission to recover ;
before plunging forward
to rescue the most precious
stray boy on the planet