Claims

He grips my shoulder and tosses me into the closet, teasing

I hear his mocking laughs as his video game beckons

I sigh, take out my own Game Boy and play my game, button-squeezing

I claim him.

---

He insists that it’s easy as he sits on my bed

Unfamiliar math seems to glare at me from its place on the page

I sigh, and try the mixed fractions again, for the fourth time

I claim him.

---

He grins widely as my character is blasted off the screen

He gloats, I rant, and our friendly banter begins

I sigh, and he laughs, saying he’ll go easier on me

I claim him

---

He looks like he just won the lottery, walking towards me

His diploma is in hand, and his medal is in mine

I place the gold around his neck and he hugs me tightly

I claim him

---

“You’re Young-Blood to me,” he says. “Always will be.”

I keep in my tears as he says goodbye

His college merchandise and necessities are packed in his trunk

“Hey, kid!” I turn around and my older brother comes in for another hug

He claims me.