Rhina,
I remember this poem well. At first I almost dismissed it then was hit by that last line.
Yes, stanzas 3 and 4 will have to be rewritten.
I think it makes sense that there is a crowd of children and the brother is speechless. I was the younger of two children and my brother always said he was "in charge".
I almost felt a hint of "mawk" in four but decided it was probably what would have happened. Pet's funerals are very solemn affairs.
A child digesting the reality of death and the fate of its father is simply and powerfully told.
Janet
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