Reunion

My brother's pale face,
tousled hair, pajamas
floated in a bedroom
cloud of flu
behind the glass.
His drooping eyes
beckoned me to sickness
as I huddled shivering.
"Be careful," he mouthed,
afraid I'd freeze alone.

Twenty five years later
I found his home looming
through my blizzard
of work, divorce, new love.
I'd almost lost the way.
He watched from a window
awaiting my return
his wife beside him
a grinning little girl
gone to open the door.

Scott Speck
02/18/99