my brother.

bear.

le loup solitaire.

though alone, you are not.

I remember the bottom of the valley,

it was a low place

It seemed there were no paths which lead to the mountains tops

which were so high, so far away.

and we lingered there in the shadows

feeling out our way

butting heads in the dark hours.

and if the valley seemed low, I feel like I dug into the ground at one point in search of a way out.

we are of the same blood, and the heart which contains it.

I hated the disconnection, but I tried to force myself to accept it.

but there was light, and when the valley became too cold, too bare

we knew we had to climb.

my brother, I am sorry.

but I am so grateful, that we climbed and though we climbed different bluffs, we arrived at the same peak.

I am humbled.

proud to stand next to you, high up, and feel the warmth on our skin, in our hearts and through our veins.

many times I did not tell you, when it was so simple and very much needed

I love you.