Red Beak Brother

If I could ease your pain, my boy, I would
I'd take it on myself and bear it hence;
My thoughts and vision are up to no good
And self-expression makes no difference.
I'm nourished less and less on food and life
And as the substance of this world grows thin
I listlessly submit to inner strife
It does well to corrode me from within.

But knowing that I've helped you but a little
Makes life seem not so languishing and brittle.