Brother’s Keeper by Uzomah Ugwu

A large tree in the middle of green woodland. Large white text reads: Brother's Keeper. Smaller text reads: Discussing disabled characters in fairy tales and folklore.

He broke dawn with every utter of the pain
He sought to bring me and gave to me
 
 When He said no one wanted a broken wheel which I was
And he could not help me any more or had, or did he ever
 
Years passed more likely a decade when he said he
Had sympathy for me it was like he was making a deal with the devil
To stretch out a comment that concluded this was an illness
Not some made up myth, and it did not define me but it was a part of me
 
He furthered the conversation
with his conforming model of a response that
Should have been a sign, a warning
 That he  now  was the  poster child for the stigma
 
I would face again once I braved my face
with this condition out in the open once released
or maybe now I was just now noticing him
So I ran back into lockable closets in tainted rooms because if my brother
Would not have me, how would society
 
but I am my brother’s keeper still
Then I heard a dial tone yet
I  do not remember him answering
I do not recall him being present in my life
 Like he confessed
 
But a message was left, and it stated I have no answer
this life I have left meant for living was 
not for getting caught in telephone
Chords in mental wards calling
brothers who were emotionally gone
And  who were far from the wheels of my bike broken or not

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About the author: 
Uzomah Ugwu is a poet/writer, curator,  editor, and multi-disciplined artist. Her poetry, writing, and art have been featured internationally in various publications, galleries, art spaces, and museums. She is a political, social, and cultural activist. Her core focus is on human rights, mental health, animal rights, and the rights of LGBTQIA persons. She is also the managing editor and founder of Arte Realizzata.