Chapter 1: Man of the House
Recite in the name of the lord who created,
created man from a clinging substance — complicated,
recite and your lord is the most generous,
most generous,
who taught by the pen, taught man what he knew not —
gave us every lesson that we never knew we'd got.
This book is dedicated to my brother,
Edward James Clevet — there will never be another.
And care others are forged in darkness and held in fear,
ours was different, ours was built right here —
carved, shaped, then moulded in song,
dance, heartache, laughter — we've been at it all along.
Tears, smiles and moments of joy between the pain,
the kind of memories you carry through the rain.
What developed was a loyalty that never floundered,
a trust that knows no betrayal, never countered,
and a friendship that has stood at the gates
and the test of time — through the worst of the worst of states.
Helped along the way with a double Irish malt whisky,
not for good measure — nah, that was just the company we'd keep, see.
The world was our teacher and the lessons hit us hard,
bleak, even harsh, unfair — every hand a losing card.
But whoever said life was fair? Nobody I've met.
And that's a lesson in itself that I won't forget.
I am my brother's keeper — that's not a line, that's law,
and may the gods always be at your side through every open door.
And if they ever waver and abandon you and you find yourself alone,
know that I will always come for you — that's carved into the bone.
I will always be in your corner, in this life and the next,
no hesitation, no conditions, no small print in the text.
All my love,
Richard — this one's for you.
"Stuck in the Middle with You"*
* Tribute to the song by Stealers Wheel
July, 2026