Brother of Mine

So tiny and fragile, I thought a joy,
So tiny and fragile, I thought you a toy;
And then you grew and learned to walk,
Grew some more and learned to talk.

I had one sister and then another,
But you were my one and only brother;
From you I learned of snakes and frogs,
Of bugs and birds and polywogs.

And as you grew to be a man,
I became your greatest fan;
And then you became a man of the law,
And in your heart came another call.

Husband, father, lawman, too,
I don't expect a smile from you;
Serious and gruff as they say,
But only in a teddy bear way.

And even though you cannot see,
The love within the heart of me;
It will burn for all time,
For you, Tom, brother of mine.