Some Words

There are some words
that you never imagine
you'll hear, words you
never hope to hear,
words you fear to hear.
And no matter how
dark the outlook is,
no matter how many
ominous signs there are,
hope holds tightly by the
thinnest thread, until you hear
those damning words.

And then time slows.
And you can't believe it.
Something won't let you believe it.
You know you've just
been dealt the biggest
blow of your life -
but you can't feel it.
Something akin to pain
hits every few minutes
and the new reality
washes all over you again -
taking you by surprise each and every time.

I think I cried that night
more for the pain I knew
was coming and less for
what we were feeling then.
I cried for the anguish
of my brother,
for fear and worry over him.
This road that he now travels,
it's a road he goes alone.
It's a road of raw emotions,
a road where he'll wrestle with God.
And there's no way to protect him.