“My brother left Teddy in my care”: A Villanelle

“My brother left Teddy in my care” 

My brother left Teddy in my care

plain and brown, our tattered friend

now I am here and he’s up there, but I have that teddy bear. 

candy-blue eyes and rings of black hair

brother to my chocolate split-ends; we played pretend 

My brother left Teddy in my care.

we gave him a voice and animate air

but when we turned ten, we fought for this friend

now I am here and he’s up there, but I have that teddy bear. 

we tugged Teddy, an intense affair

a tear on his arm we could not mend

My brother left Teddy in my care

a war-torn bear, tainted with wear

in the corner of dust and faded trends

now I am here and he’s up there, but l have that teddy bear. 

On Easter morning, my brother dared

to see my father, who brought his end

my brother left Teddy in my care,

now I am here and he’s up there,

but I still have his teddy bear.