D.K. SHEPARD

Sue always said she wanted a brother

An older one just the same age as you

I thought it strange, never understood her

Wasn’t much good a big brother could do

Deep below the turquoise surface

Surrounded by swaying kelp trees

Stands the sea king’s coral palace

On a typical Tuesday afternoon

The three convene in their usual spot

Water cooler chatter will begin soon

Usual suspects: Gwen, Danny, and Scott

My compass led me here, must be broken,

To slanted streets in a tilted city

The one of which trembling lips have spoken

A cry “All hail her royal majesty!”

I nearly knocked on your door that spring day,

But didn’t want to darken your doorstep

With shadows from a war fought far away

Or the nightmares that never seem to stop