RubySoho
Winston
Fire and Rain/Ode To My Brother
June 4th 2009 07:08
This song, long a favourite of mine took on a whole new meaning to me when it came on radio the day I heard that my father passed away back in 2003. Exactly two weeks ago today I thought of this song again when I heard the news that my younger brother had died suddenly. It is not my intention to analyse this song at this time but merely to try and give an indication of what I am feeling in this, the darkest and most hopeless time I have ever experienced.
Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone
Susanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just can't remember who to send it to
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again
Won't you look down upon me, Jesus
You've got to help me make a stand
You've just got to see me through another day
My body's aching and my time is at hand
And I won't make it any other way
Oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again
Been walking my mind to an easy time my back turned towards the sun
Lord knows when the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around
Well, there's hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things
to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground
Oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you, baby, one more time again, now
Thought I'd see you one more time again
There's just a few things coming my way this time around, now
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you fire and rain...
Are your memories floating in the ether?
Are your thoughts resting on the clouds?
Does your love follow the sun as it journeys over the horizon?
Does your laughter mingle with the birds in the trees?
To know you was to love you.
To love you was a privilege.
To be loved by you, the highest honour.
My childhood is wrapped up in you. My most precious memories are the ones that have you in them. My favourite photos are the ones that are lit up by the sparkle in your eyes. From the moment you were born, you were our star. Our little baby. Do you remember my brother? Do you remember how we used to kiss you so hard we made you cry? And that time you wept for hours because you had to stay home while we went to school? I swear little brother, I swear your eyes were still wet when I returned home that afternoon. You never could stand to be left behind. Is that why you had to go first?
You were something to everyone. The favourite uncle, Unkie Mase, always there with advice and a magic trick. The cousin and best friend, waiting with a fishing rod in your hand and a dirty joke in your head. The friendly neighbour who always had time for a five minute chat...that would turn into a three hour deep and meaningful. The baby brother who adored his siblings. The doting son who could do no wrong.
And now, as we bid you farewell and brace ourselves for a life without you, our hearts and minds are awash with questions. Questions only you can answer.
How did it happen my brother?
Did death come for you like a thief in the night? Did it take you unawares and claim you even as you were dreaming the sweetest dream? Or did you see it coming? Did it wake you from a fitful slumber? Did you look eternity in the eye and say "I am not afraid'? What were your last words? Your final thoughts? Did you cry out for your mother? Or your sisters like you did when we were young? Or were you thinking of your father? That it was your time to be joining him?
Oh my darling brother, tell me how do we live in a world without Mason? Our hearts are broken beyond repair. You have left a hole that cannot be filled. A wound that will never be healed. When we lost our father, we lost so much. When we lost you, we lost everything.
May 21 2009. The saddest day.
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Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
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im so sorry for your loss
i hope it helped (even a little bit) to write about it
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Cheryl J
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This is a truly beautiful tribute. My thoughts are with you.
Comment by Wilson Pon
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Comment by Mau-Medellin
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Comment by Postmodern Critic
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Comment by Natalina
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My prayer for you and your family is that you find some peace of mind and comfort during this incomparable difficult time.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
I was only just listening to this song on the ipod as I trudged the streets at 4.30 this morning -it's a beautiful ode.
Having just lost someone ourselves - my family's heartfelt sympathies and comforting thoughts go to out to you.
Comment by Jeff Musall
Secular Humanity
Comment by Johnny Come Lately
Jack's Back
I can't imagine your grief but your tribute is lovely and it's the perfect song. My sympathy to you and your family.
Jo
Comment by Kristin Wolgemuth
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Comment by Norm
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I bet he felt the same way about you.
I bet he loved you.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
And I know it is customary to say this in these situations but my little brother really was one of life's beautiful people. Unlike me and the rest of his siblings, he never lost his temper. Sure he would get frustrated with people and he would feel let down, but he just didn't see the point in getting angry. I know I had so much to learn from him. My brother was the sort of person who would drive 10 kms out of his way to drop off a can of lawn mower petrol to his sister. He was the sort of person who would buy a car from one of his brothers for $8000 and then give it away a few months later to his other brother who was struggling with four kids and a mortgage.
So how is it, how is it that we could lose such a beautiful, gentle soul as this? My brother's biggest asset was his huge heart. And it was his heart that let him down. He was one of only a handful of people who was born with a hole in his heart. It was never discovered and over a period of less than a week his beautiful heart bled itself to death. He was dying before our eyes and we didn't even know it. The last time I saw him was two days before he left us. He told me he hadn't been well and that he was still feeling tired but he thought he was getting better. He went to his room to take a nap. And that's the last I ever saw of him.
Comment by Chris Champion
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Comment by the world of gaye
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REFLECTIONS
THE WINDMILLS OF MY MIND
Comment by Janet Collins
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Comment by Samantha Elley
Food Journo
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Little House among the Canefields
Just read your tribute. It was beautiful. I have an inkling to how you are feeling having younger brothers.
Hope you and your familiy are coping.
Sam
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Michaelie