it is about                my brother  
                            & me

in my father’s backyard
planting an oak tree.

                    like my father
& brother did

when he was eight.  
& it is about the rain

& how it                  rattles
the older oak’s        leaves

& how it becomes downpour
& overwhelming.     how when

we walk inside &
mother          comments

          you two are
                    just soaked

& he takes his shirt off
but struggles           to peel

the camo t-shirt
                   over his head 

& i      laugh
when he says

fuck              this shirt & 
it is about how

i mistake none of this
                    for gunshots.