My Wonderful Brother

I come, down the stairs

and hesitantly knock

on your door. You open

it, and I can see

so many emotions

waging war to dominate

your face.

Nervous.

Because our parents are downstairs.

Scared.

Because you know we could get caught.

Excited.

Because you know what's to come.

Together, we go to bed,

moving gently at first

but then more urgently.

We do it because

we love each other,

but

we also do it

because we want to be

burned off the family tree.