For Those About To Rock

he was eight

the monster in his closet was real

Dad said

“Protect Sammy.”

so he braced his shoulders

for the jolt of the gun

and eliminated the threat

to

his little brother

innocent to the world

asking him

 “What’s wrong?”

as he woke up to nightmares

he wiped away the tears

protected his brother

for a few years more

and said

“Go play.”

he was eighteen

high school got in the way

Dad said

“Do your job.”

so he ducked his head

for the inevitable storm

and dropped out of school

and

his little brother

angry at their father

asked him

“Why do you always follow orders?”

as he returned home

from another day on the job

protecting his brother

for a few years more

“Go away.”

he didn’t mean it

literally

but Sam

not Sammy

left for college

and he whispered

to his retreating back

 “Please stay.”

four years

four empty Christmases

spent with Dad

in motels smelling of cheap smokes

four birthdays

celebrations of life

used to flirt with death

four Thanksgivings

but what was there to give thanks for?

Sammy was gone

and he had nobody to protect

to save from the monsters of the world

he thought

in the dark of night

when sleep was unattainable

"I am Dean Winchester."

"And I am alone."