From any distance I can recognize him

by his bright smile and confident walk

and the dark curls resting on his head.

*

Sometimes he gives me a sweet childs hug

and a sticky kiss on my cheek.

And sometimes his little fingers

comb through my hair, carefully braiding.

*

He whispers my name with his little lisp

asking me to read him a story.

Sometimes, when I run out of stories, he makes one up.

*

I always know it's him when I hear his footsteps running down the stairs

or his soft knock on my bedroom door

wanting to come in and play with my toys.

*

He has a warm, clean smell that changes,

yet always stays the same.

Sometimes it's tinted with fresh laundry

sometimes it's the first graders smell

of apple juice and graham crackers.

*

I feel so much love for my "baby" brother

when he asks me to help him with his homework

or when he asks me to take him out to play

or when he gives me a surprise present for no special reason

*

But especially when he gives me a hug

and tells me how much he loves me.