Anna J. Small Roseboro, a National Board Certified Teacher is a published author and poet but is primarily an educator with over forty years’ experience teaching English and Speech to students in middle school, high school and college in public, private, and parochial schools in five states. A mentor for early career educators, Ms. Roseboro earned a B.A. in Speech Communications from Wayne State University and an M.A. in Curriculum Design from the University of California, San Diego. Her newest published work is a series of books published by Rowman and Littlefield designed for pre-service teachers and for those teaching middle school for the first time. See those three books GETTING STARTED (2018) MORE ABOUT WRITING (2019) , NOT INTIMIDATING (2019), and PLANNING WITH PURPOSE: A HANDBOOK FOR FIRST-YEAR COLLEGE INSTRUCTORS due out in 2020. And check out her poetry book, EXPERIENCE POEMS AND PICTURES in English and Spanish. For more resources, visit Anna’s website http://teachingenglishlanguagearts.com/.
Inspiration
My only brother’s birthday is this month, so when Sarah asked me to plan a challenge, I began thinking about him and other brothers I’ve had over the years. Many of us have memorable experiences with brothers – both positive and negative. Today let’s focus on the positive ones. One definition says, BROTHER means “being a hand to hold, a shoulder to lean on, and an ear to listen. Being a brother means building and breaking bridges, celebrating victories and mourning losses together. Being a brother means so many different things to so many people, but it all comes back to passion and compassion.
Process
Whether the brother is a blood brother, family brother, brother in the church, or a person who has expressed brotherliness, let’s honor brother(s) today. To help keep the poem concise, let’s use the letters in the word BROTHER(S) to start the first word in each line. If you can, use the letters in order so BROTHER(S) can be read down the side. If not, no matter. And, try to include at least one poetic device from the list: allegory, alliteration, assonance, connotation, hyperbole, metaphor, onomatopoeia, personification, refrain, repetition, rhyme, rhythm, simile, etc.
Anna’s Poem
Who is My Brother?
| Born first, but not really bossy. |
| Rarely rude, even when pulling toffee. |
| Overcame a stutter and became a top salesman. |
| Taught offspring well; challenges? None shun. |
| He’s a helper with a heart for fun. |
| Educated as an engineer. Ever faithful to his wife. |
| Ready to travel, ready to party and to celebrate all life. |
| (Sole brother? Yes, and dear soul brother.) |
Write
Your Turn
Now, scroll to the comment section below to write your own poem. (This is a public space, so you may use only your first name or initials depending on your privacy preferences.) Not ready? That’s okay. Read the poems already posted for more inspiration. Ponder your own throughout the day. Return later. And, if the prompt does not work for you, that is fine. All writing is welcome. Just write something. Also, please be sure to respond to at least three writers. Oh, and a note about drafting: Since we are writing in short bursts, we all understand (and even welcome) the typos and partial poems that remind us we are human and that writing is always becoming. If you’d like to invite other teachers to write with us, tell them to subscribe.
Couldn’t just pick one brother
Brother, born in 91
Really don’t know him well
Only met a couple times
The time spent with him has never left me
How my dad let him leave I’ll never understand
Ever loved your brother like family and they don’t really care?
Remembering him is hard somedays
Brother, born in 95
Reckless is what he is
Only makes rash decisions, sometimes good sometimes bad
The time spent with him is always wild
He has given life to beautiful children
Ever wanted more from your brothers life?
Reacting is what he does best
Brother, born in 98
Remember taking care of him, even though I was younger
Open to new ideas and great adventures
The time spent with him reminds me of childhood
How amazing he is, I don’t think he’ll ever understand
Ever loved a brother more than he loved you?
Ready to make more memories with him
Brother, born in 02
Really cubby when he was a baby
One time I was holding him and I fell, kinda felt bad after
The time spent with him reminds me I’m a big sister
He is smart and cocky
Ever wished a brother would stop changing?
Reading him is hard most days
Brother, born in 03
Really adorable as a child
One time we were boxing and he busted my lip
The time spent with him reminds me that someone is looking up to me
He is a great young man, and trying to be better
Ever cried with a brother because he doesn’t love himself?
Really just happy to be a part of his life
Second born, but never second fiddle
Independent, sometimes to a fault
Sociable, never meets a stranger
True to who she is and to hers
Excellent cook, but passing the torch
Really glad she’s my sister
Blood brothers.
Remember that time we pressed our pricked fingers together?
Oh, that would not go over well these days.
Too many hidden dangers.
How did we last this long doing crazy stuff like that?
Eventually we went on with our lives, forgetting that invisible bond.
Rites and rituals made us who we are, even when we are apart.
Wow, you brought back some memories for me. A couple of my friends and I did the exact same thing. And, how true is your line “Eventually we went on with our lives, forgetting that invisible bond.”
I always looked up to my brother
Maybe because I thought he was cool.
When I was 7, I took $50 that I had saved up
and tried to pay him to hangout with me.
When I was 12, I read my dad’s journal
and found out that my brother was gay.
My father never accepted this fact
But I couldn’t love him more.
We’ve gotten closer
As I’ve gotten older.
He’s one of my favorite people.
I am the eldest child and only girl. My mother and I used to joke that we were members of “the fraternity.” It took me all day to wrap my mind and my heart around what I wanted to say about these boys, all three of them. I know the form encouraged brevity, but I had to devote a stanza to each brother.
Brother #1: builder of Legos and blanket forts and triple word scores
Reverse engineer–he who tinkered with toys and now tinkers with tools
Oldest boy, the one who shares the responsibility and burden of being an “elder”
Teacher of science, coach of soccer, father of Riley
Heart of platinum–a loyal and devoted son, brother, cousin, friend, husband, dad
Ever my balance, my counterpoint
Reason I became a sister, a “sissy,” a “saucy”
Brother #2: once the youngest, then the middle, never dull
Resister of sleep, of rules, of limits (I hope your daughter is the same)
Often indignant, the one who yells “not fair!” and the one who champions justice
Tester of boundaries, of patience, of consequences
Heart on fire–ready to love and fight fiercely, ready to dance and adventure relentlessly
Ever exigent: we share the same spirit, the same passion, the same disappointment
Reason I laugh uncontrollably, full belly and full heart
Brother #3: baby brother, my “Britty”
Returner of sweetness in our home, reason for Pixar movies and Disneyworld
Once the bearer of blond curls, always the boy with dimples and long lashes
Trundle-bed sleeper, book reader, play actor
Heartbreaker and heartbroken–heart on your sleeve, on the table, on the floor
Ever hopeful and optimistic, singer of songs and cooker of food
Reason I became the “second mom,” the “other mother,” “NOT the mama”
Oh, Betsy, how beautiful. Each stanza helped me be a small part of your family for afew moments. They are each developed so well in one brief stanza. The responsible reverse engineering elder to the resisterer of limits and champion of justice to the “heartbreaker and heartbroken–heart on your sleeve, on the table, on the floor”. (That was my favorite laugh out loud line today.) Each one special. What a gift of a poem for you and maybe them today.
Each stanza delineates their different personalities so well. There is truth to birth order! I love this line – “Ever exigent: we share the same spirit, the same passion, the same disappointment.”
Bill
beach walks in the morning
rest of the day to play
outside in the yard at home or in
the woods by the house in Hilton Head
have never lost the ease to connect
even during the last years of Mom’s life
reunited reconnected, never lost the ease
Such a lovely characteristic of the relationship between you and Bill–“never lost the ease.” There is something so comforting and connecting about growing up with someone. Lovely.
Bashful but sweet,
Reliable and neat,
Obliging but discrete.
Tenacious,
Hilarious,
Electric and emphatic,
Ruthless, not egocentric. My brothers.
Brother: how can I translate his
Ruptured soul into words?
On most days he is merely sad.
There are also days
He is paralyzed,
Enervated by the weight of
Remorseless anguish.
As I read through tonight’s poems, I noticed how many of us seem to have brothers with ruptured souls. I’m glad you are trying to figure your brother out. Peace.
Oh, gosh, Allison… we’ve walked some of the same emotional pathways on this brother thing. I think my brother was your brother at times…”ruptured soul.” The “paralysis” is an incredible state… caught between what is in their minds and what’s in their hearts. It was a life that had so much potential and he realized so much of that but still couldn’t reconcile so many confused choices. I really appreciate your poem tonight. Thank you, Susie
Justus
Because you, a selfless and gentle brother, stepped in
Right when I needed you, I am who I am today.
Only you, no one else could have filled
That void left when daddy died. Tell me,
How is it even possible for a young boy, who needed a father as much as I needed, did it?
Every single time I needed, you were
Ready -always ready – loving me, caring for me, holding me.
Monica—this is a beautiful tribute to a wonderful brother. I can feel his gentleness and his love in your words.
This is lovely, Monica. It’s amazing how people can step up when they have to. I’m glad he was there for you!
Brothers- I have so many!
Really, though, none like you
I don’t know if I ever told you how much I loved you
AIDS is bitch, that’s for sure
No one will ever take your place in my heart
Mo – This is so touching. The sharing of “how much I loved you” … so tender. “AIDS is bitch” — oh man, just so awful. I feel your loss in these five loving lines. Thank you for sharing tonight. Susie
Joey
Brother… I come from sisters and sistas; the brother thing, a chasm hemmed with razor wire
Rejected… he threw us away, walked away, blamed all the women in his life
Outlived… two decades of cancer, a strength that could’ve been shared with us, with his daughters
Too broken… castrated by Daddy’s cruelties
Heartache… his Fender and my Martin, our voices could’ve been the family torch
Elvis… did he realize he looked like The King?
Really… miss him.
by Susie Morice©
I almost cried reading your poem. The line “Too broken . . . castrated by daddy’s cruelties“ makes all the pain so real. Thank you for sharing such a personal and beautiful poem.
That chasm hemmed with razor wire- it cuts deep. Your brother’s life sounds like it was a difficult one. I love the idea of your voices that could have been the family torch.
Susie, I feel so much emotion here: loss, anger, regret. I loved the way this line zings: “a chasm hemmed with razor wire.”
“Too broken” resonates with me. Tonight I wrote about my broken brother too.
Your poem turns to softer memories, sadness rather than anger, at the end. I feel this poem hard.
Brothers of mom were Jerry and Don.
Real story, Dad had two brothers, Jerry and Don.
Of the four, two were Marines.
The other two were Air Force and Army.
History has recorded the death of two.
Each has held such a special place in my heart.
Radically different from each other but equally loveable.
Such wonderful brothers of mom and dad, Jerry and Don.
HA! That is awesome! Your story-telling and word-crafting made me forget you were working with the demands of an acrostic!
My Brothers
By Donna Russ, 4-27-2020
Both are uniquely different
and yet so much alike
Ready to defend each other
in an argument or fight
One sees life in black or white
the other in shades of gray
They both love, care and share;
they were brought up that way
Having challenges to overcome
has made them both secure
Each chose teaching as a life calling;
so much they must endure
Readying themselves each day
for the challenges ahead
Siblings, husbands, fathers, friends they are;
fruitful lives they’ve lead
What a kind and loving salute to your brothers! Exciting that they are both teachers, and “uniquely different/and yet so much alike.” I enjoyed your rhymes very much; I like the way you used two short phrases per letter of the word “Brothers” – it sets apart each letter very nicely.
Baby brother you were always the best travelling companion
Reliably you always brought us home even when I feared we were lost
Outside-the-box-thinker, you’ve always forged your own path
Trusting your intuition as guide
Heart moves you to kindness
Even when others are intolerant
Remember your light shines
What a fortunate brother to have a sibling that sees this in him. Beautiful.
Tammi,
baby brothers hold a special place in our hearts. I loved how you talked about yours and my favorite was your second line!
Best friends that you can rely on.
Ronnie, Robert, Richard, Ryan the letter R is apart of us all.
Okay we all agree that we don’t tell mom or dad.
Timeless memories that we share.
Hey get ready to play some hoops.
Everything is funny to us for some reason.
Ready to lose.
Some men that I respect.
Brotherly Pact
Bad behavior? We won’t tell
Rewind to the pact: I remember it well
On a small scroll of paper, we signed our names
Telling is forbidden as of this very date
Hide it in the secret cubby in the closet
Expect to deny it if our parents ever find it
Remind me the next time you notice me pout
(Shame on me for even thinking of selling you out)
Alex, I like how your rhyming adds to the child-memory feel of this poem. I can just see these little boys signing their promise of loyalty!
this is fun – nice angle on the relationship
Hi Anna,
You’re so blessed to have had that luxury of growing up and older with a brother! Sounds like he’s all that and more! Wonder why the good ones seem so far and few in between. LOL. He is obviously an overcomer, they make such good men and husbands, fathers and friends. Thank you for sharing him with us today.
My poem started off one way and ended up totally different. I had fun with it!
Patrick the Young Prince
By Stacey L. Joy, ©April 27, 2020
If my sister and I had been blessed with a
Boy who becomes man
Really handsome
Our protector
Through life
He would have
Exuded God’s strength
Reigned as our young prince of the family
He would’ve had too much on his shoulders
He would’ve had to stand in for our absent father
And fight the boys with whom we fell too blindly into infatuation
If my sister and I had been blessed with a
Boy who becomes man
Really handsome
Our protector
Through life
He would have
Exuded God’s strength
Reigned as our young prince of the family
HIs name would have been Patrick because Mom loved that name
He would have been an Olympic swimmer because that’s what we’d do
And he would have taught us to drive fast but not get caught
If my sister and I had been blessed with a
Boy who becomes man
Really handsome
Our protector
Through life
He would have
Exuded God’s strength
Reigned as our young prince of the family
I would have never been the mother of my son and daughter
He would have never let me marry a dishonest and lazy man
I would have never learned to fight for myself because he would have fought for me
If my sister and I had been blessed with a
Boy who becomes man
Really handsome
Our protector
Through life
He would have
Exuded God’s strength
Reigned as our young prince of the family
We would have loved him more than each other
And we would have handled our stepfather after losing our mother.
We would have loved our young prince of the family, our brother, Patrick.
Stacey, I love how you created Patrick and told a lot about your life through this fictional character. Very awesome concept!
Stacey,
I am typically offline after 6pm as I try to be “present” with my partner in the evenings (though I sneak my phone into the bathroom to check the blog — I know, I know). Tonight I am doing Zoom conferences with students, so I am online and checked Ethical ELA before I go into the living room, and I am so glad I got to see your poem so close after it was published so that I could say…
As I look at your poem as a whole, the visual aesthetic is gorgeous — like shoulders, like breasts, just beautiful movement of words that teach the eye how to read it, how to circle back to the refrain and the imaginings of a brother.
There are parts here that will resonate with Susan who also took Anna’s inspiration into possibilities and implications. Maybe he would have fought for you. Maybe he would have subverted your wedding. We meet him through your words. Thank you for introducing us to Prince Patrick, who is clearly within you.
Sarah
You have captured the feeling of two sisters’ longing for a Big Brother; interesting that it was not a Little Brother; but, then, having to fill in for an absent father as protector and prince of the family makes perfect sense. Your desire, need, for that protector comes in loud and clear in the line, “And we would have handled our stepfather after losing our mother”. God bless you for your survivor’s strength; Patrick would be proud.
Stacey—the brother you created would indeed have been a prince of a man. I loved the repetition of his qualities interspersed with what he would have done for you.
Stacey – The poem creates such an architecture that moves like a musical piece… sort of an undulating … maybe like a berceuse … that lullaby that has the smooth rise and fall. This crafting is really quite something. I love the notion of a prince who would have been… so much for you. The beauty of naming the brother, making this a very real embodiment of what could help fill the chasms that existed in growing up with hurts. I feel that the strength inside you is what gives an embodiment of a prince brother — it seems in some ways that you ARE that brother, that being. I continue to be moved by your writing. Just really love coming to your poems each day. Thank you so much. Susie
Since the day you bombarded
Into my life, you’ve brought
Strained years of adolescence,
Talon-attacks on the couch during primetime t.v., and
Expertly crafted verbal missiles that skillfully push my buttons.
Rachel, my dream is to one day get a chance to raise a pair of sisters like us.
Laura, nice use of negativity to swing back to the positive praise of your sister. Very well done! I spent the beginning of my life thinking my brother was the worst…only to find out he’s my best friend. Go figure!
Wow, Laura, such vivid imagery. Talon-attacks. Expertly crafted missiles! Love the last line — Rachel.
Sarah
So many images of strength here—bombarded, talon attacks, missiles. I can see why you want those traits for your daughters!
Bunk bed sleepovers
Races down the hall
One the outfield dandelion plucker,
The other could wallop the ball
Hot wheels car wash
Entertained us for hours
Rubber rattlesnakes under my covers
Snickers…fun times with my brothers.
Jennifer, I love the positive and excited energy in this poem. The “outfield dandelion plucker” is such a perfect image. The alliteration throughout the poem works so well to share the joy you had with your brothers. “Rubber rattlesnakes”….love it!
Jennifer, your use of onomatopoeia made me smile. Oh yes, “wallop” suggesting the power of soft consonants to suggest the whoosh of sound, but when I got to the alliteration in “Rubber rattlesnakes”, I cringed. Then, the Snickers line made me giggle believing it could have been a pun, describing sharing candy or guffaws!. All in all, a delightful poem demonstrating several poetic devices so very well.
Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer,
You had a lot of fun! These are the kinds of brothers that make us sisters who had no brothers very envious!
Oh yes! I remember my brother loving Hot Wheels too. The “outfield dandelion plucker” what a great image. Made me laugh. That would have been my brother too. Thank you for sharing!
Jenny, I knew this prompt would speak to you. You have such a great relationship with your brothers and it’s evident in all the fun (sleepovers, races down the hall, hot wheels car wash). I love the phrase “outfield dandelion plucker” – perfect word choices and image!
Brothers do make life interesting, your “Rubber rattlesnakes under my covers”, brought back memories of my own brothers’ antics. Thanks for that.
sounds so lovely and familiar
Thanks, Anna, for the fun prompt. I am blessed with four brothers, so I had fun with this!
Brothers, four, me in the middle
Relaxing, no, but lots of giggles
Only girl, I solved their quibbles
Trusted all, except for tickles
How we played in sun and drizzle
Every day, little by little
Real time learning to be civil
Still great rapport, true and simple.
I have five brothers, and I definitely connect with your mixed emotions here! Never a moment of calm, always crazy, but so much fun – wouldn’t trade it for the world. Haha I love: “lots of giggles / Trusted all, except for tickles.”
Maureen, you have your own security guards, with you in the middle as problem solver! “Only girl, I solved their quibbles”. Your use of rhyme brought your story to another level! I especially like “giggles and quibbles”. The sound and suggestive power of words illustrated beautifully
My mother had four brothers, two older and two younger and they were a crew to behold! Guys in high school didn’t mess with her! Thanks for sharing your story and reminding me of mine!
Maureen,
I love the rhyming and “i” assonance throughout that gives your poem a playful quality. I can’t imagine what being the only girl among four boys must have been like. That had to have kept you busy! Fun poem. Thank you.
—Glenda
Another envious sister over here with no brothers. Wow, I love this and picture the adventures you must’ve had! 4 brothers!! Your end patterns with short “i” is perfect. All the words you selected fit as well as you and your 4 brothers. Kudos!!
I did not grow up with brothers at home, but I believe you capture the spirit of the relationship. I like the subtle rhyme which threads your lines together.
Wow! I can imagine that growing up with five brothers would have been a trip! Your bond with them is evident here in “lots of giggles” , “Trusted all, except for tickles.” Sounds like a family full of love.
You made this exercise seem easy. The flow of the lines and the rhymes were right on time. So much said in so few words. Bravo!
Thank you Anna!
Brother Eric, meaning mighty ruler
Really?
Oh, I beg to differ
There’s always, I hope, the memory of us singing Frank Sinatra
Hauling down LJ Blvd in the Honda CRX
Exceptional, excellent, engineer!
Rest assured, whatever happens, you built me up – love you
Hello, Ali,
So good to see you here on #verselove and from Kapaa! Wonderful.
As I read your poem, I am struck by the way it looks as much as the ideas. Love the link fluctuation and even the look of the abbreviations. I wrote about my CRX in Friday’s poem about “firsts.”
The detail in this line is everything: “Hauling down LJ Blvd in the Honda CRX.” Such vivid imagery and sense of place.
Sarah
Ali, what a spectacular line: whatever happens, you built me up…..has me humming “you are the wind beneath my wings.”
Ali, My favorite line is “Really?” – I can hear the sibling’s inflection on this, questioning! So fun.
Ali, I can see you giving your brother the arrow eye when he tried to “rule”! (In our family we called them “eye darts”! We could pin you to the wall with a look.)
The other images you portray suggest your brother was not always in danger of insurrection!
Thanks for sharing and demonstrating ways acrostic poems can relate incidents so succinctly.
I love the image of you and your brother singing “Frank Sinatra” and “Hauling down LJ Blvd in the Honda CRX.” Sounds like good times! Thanks for sharing!
You built me up. What a glorious, loving phrase…
Anna,
Thank you for prodding our familial nerves. I stayed a little neutral. DIdn’t want to go too deep.
I love your poem and the way you let the acrostic guide you, but it sure doesn’t limit you. I love your last line.
Brothers . . . two. Seven and six years older.
Rowdy, rambunctious, and really not in to having a little sister.
Our parents let us all be; no real attempts at unity.
Their friends and teammates were targets of my crushes.
Heaven gained our parents and things shifted.
Each of them trying in ways to be the partriarch
Reaching out regularly and at oddly-timed moments
Still boys but sentimentality and family upped their efforts.
~Susan Ahlbrand
27 April 2020
I love this line, Susan: Their friends and teammates were targets of my crushes.
This sparked a memory of my brothers’ friends who were all so handsome. I am sure I made a fool of myself flirty with my coke bottle classes, braces, and bowl haircut!
And the last line is such acknowledgement of brothers becoming fathers, men.
Sarah
Susan, I love the family shift that is called out as poetic shift here: “Heaven gained our parents and things shifted.” Those changes in family definitely shift one way or the other – – apart or together. I’m glad yours was together.
This line imparts your closeness, “Reaching out regularly and at oddly-timed moments.” I was reminded of my own childhood by your poem, especially – “Their friends and teammates were targets of my crushes.”
Susan, lots of vivid images in your poem, but the melting lines are the closing three
Each of them trying in ways to be the patriarch
Reaching out regularly and at oddly-timed moments
Still boys but sentimentality and family upped their efforts.
Showing the range from boys to patriarchs to boys again!
Thanks for sharing.
My favorite lines: “Our parents let us all be; no real attempts at unity” as a parent of three kids, I can totally appreciate how sometimes you do have to just let things be.
“Their friends and teammates were targets of my crushes” — totally reminds me of my daughter crushing on my son’s friends. This was so authentic and relatable. Thank you!
Other People’s Brothers
Brothers. They did not exist in our house of females. In
Reality, I don’t even have other-brothers…
Oh, I have friends, father-ish figures, teacher-husbands, work-sons.
The truth is, I don’t know how to “brother”.
How would it (how would I) have been different with a brother-figure to defend me, or a brother-figure to defend?
Exactly how would that have changed who I am today? I am and have always been, my own best defense, the only one in my corner. I have gone to bat for myself. Always. In
Retrospect, I cannot decide whether it was a win or a loss.
Who would I be as the sister of a brother?
How does one assess what does not exist?
Gayle,
The questions here are so meaningful — just the sort of reflective spark I am sure Anna had hoped for when she invited alternative approaches to today’s topic. Isn’t is amazing how we are mining our lives in this way. We are in your corner!
Sarah
I love the reflective questions, especially “How would it (how would I) have been different with a brother-figure to defend me, or a brother-figure to defend?” House of females has much to be admired – and I certainly desired this on many occasions! Ha!
You have an interesting perspective to share for this prompt! Thank you! I love your question on the “E” line – how would you be different if you had had a brother? “I am and have always been, my own best defense… I cannot decide whether it was a win or a loss.” Maybe neither – it just is what it is 🙂
Gayle, while your poem asks poignant questions in the closing lines,
Who would I be as the sister of a brother?
How does one assess what does not exist?
you also cause readers with brothers to ask, what would their lives have been without brothers. On some days,, “can’t imagine how I would have made it without…”. On an equal number of days, some would say, “much better”!
Thanks for writing a poem that made us think!
Gayle,
I love your poem, and I’m really glad you wrote to the prompt as you did. I’m a bit of a rebel (maybe you’ve noticed), so your feisty independence and the subtext of “I am and have always been, my own best defense, the only one in my corner. I have gone to bat for myself. Always.” that pushes against the inherent assumptions makes me cheer. ? I’m sure you understand my point. Thank you.
—Glenda
Glenda—I have sensed a kindred spirit for some time now. Glad to have gotten to know you better in this month of wonderful poetry.
I love your take on not having a brother. Especially appreciate the line “Who would I be as the sister of a brother?” Interestedly, I’ve had similar wonders about having a sister. Love “you have always gone to bat for yourself.”
I love the third line with its word combinations, “Oh, I have friends, father-ish figures, teacher-husbands, work-sons.”
I admire the way you end your poem with questions and that you do not presume to have the answers.
Gayle — I so appreciate the piece you wrong today. The line that is still working on me is this: The truth is, I don’t know how to “brother.” Using the word as verb is a particularly fascinating concept. How does a person “brother”? Really provocative. My brother is gone … passed at xmas three years ago now. It would’ve been interesting to ask him how he thought he ought to “brother” we girls in the house. That conversation could’ve changed everything for us. Alas. I so like your poem… it really struck a person chord with me. Thank you, Susie
Begging and bribing my parents for a younger sibling
Reaching for another rainbow connection
Optimistically dreaming
Theorizing ways to be a big sister
Hoping, holding, hereditary
Expecting to become a middle child
Realizing my sister has always been enough
Lauryl, I enjoy how you shared your situation with this prompt. i love the image of “another rainbow connection” and I can picture a young girl “optimistically dreaming.” The “Hoping, holding, hereditary” line was especially effective, but your ending says it all! Well done!
Lauryl, it’s interesting when we come to an understanding and becoming content with what we have. Your poem suggests you are “nearly there”. 🙂 I’m a middle child and my younger sister LOVES being the baby. It’s a blessing to have a sister you now recognize as “enough”. So, I’d say, first, thanks for the poem, and next, relish being the baby.
Lauryl,
I think this is so lovely, and that second line — Reaching for another rainbow connection — so perfect in its imagery and hopefulness. And the alliteration in hoping, holding, hereditary speaks to what is wanted and what you already had. Great final line.
Sarah
Lauryl,
This was so sweet! I relate so much to this. Also love the reference to “rainbow connection.” Then I got to the last line and realized that you never got that brother, but that you are so happy to have a sister in your life. Thanks for sharing this.
I can totally relate to this too. I really thought I wanted a younger sibling growing up, but my brother is enough. You did a nice job of showing the emotions of a young child holding on to this hope!
Laurly I love the twist that you put on this poem. The feeling that you want a younger brother then realizing that your sister is the one that you want is heart warming. Thank you for the poem.
“Your last line is so poignant!” –love it. This reminds me of my two older children begging my husband and I for a baby. They came up with reason daily for why we should add to our family. I guess they were pretty convincing because they ended up with a baby sister.
I love your consistent use of the present participle, which renders your desires for a brother timeless. Then, the last line is so powerful with the realization that what you have is enough. Love it!
Dave
Brother, you were the best bronco buck ever
Ready to fulfill a young girl’s need for adventure
Often offering words of wisdom
Thoughtful, funny, kind, protective–
Helpless to a cancer that
Eradicated your strength and handsome face
Remember, wait for me; I’ll be ready to ride
Barb Edler
April 27, 2020
Barb, this is so touching. I love that adventure bookends your poem. So sorry for your loss!
Barb, thanks for sharing your story. Am I correct that your brother succumbed to cancer and is awaiting you in the chute to aid you on that ride when it’s your turn? Belief in an afterlife helps to endure this one. Your fond memory is one I appreciate right now. Thanks for sharing.
Laura,
The verb in the first line made me gulp. I am so sorry for your loss, but thank you for introducing us to Dave and allowing us to bear witness to his life in this way.
Sarah
Your poem made my heart hurt. Thank you for sharing it. You create such a vivid image of your brother, “the best bronco buck ever,” now waiting for you, “ready to ride.” What a wonderful day that will be, when you are reunited.
This made me cry. The best bronco buck will be waiting for you, I am sure. Enjoy that ride, Barb.
Best buddy, you chose me
right off the bat to be your
other mother. At 8 years old
that made me feel special and
helped me learn to care,
even though I sometimes
ran and hid from you.
Rachel, Your opening lines are so sweet. The end is revealing of what an older sister, I’m guessing, would do. I love the first words of address: “Best buddy” as it shows the love so well.
Rachel, I could have written this about my sister (who is also named Rachel!). Such an exciting relationship to be both caretaker and occasional prey to the younger sibling. I love that last line!
Rachel,
This is a very sweet poem. It is so interesting to realize all the lessons that people teach us when they come into our lives. What a kind and thoughtful tribute to your brother and “best buddy.”
Rachel, I appreciate the “honesty” in the lines, “even though I sometimes/ran and hid from you.” Most of have that memory of wanting to be rid of an annoying sibling! Thanks for sharing.
Rachel, this is an amazing poem that. I love the first line about your brother choosing you to be his other mother really does highlight how special the realtionship is.
Dear Anna,
Thank you so much for today’s prompt. I didn’t expect to start my morning flooded with so many memories, and it really made for a wonderful start to the day.
Emily
Do you remember
Do you remember
hot wheels, nintendo,
train tracks down the stairs
We both needed a partner
Two and Three of the four
Do you remember
when I crashed my bike
I still hate riding
but we always rode together
mom said no riding alone
Do you remember
on your prom night, when you discovered
your tux was three sizes too big
I drove you to the store
You spoke quietly, I spoke loudly
Do you remember
that night I came home drunk
You helped me sneak back in
I woke with a headache
and a glass of water by my bed
Do you remember
when I bought my own car
You came to sit with me as I signed
You checked the car
You smiled approvingly
Do you remember
when mom got sick
the ambulance drove away
One wasn’t there, so it was up to me
I pretended not to see you cry
Do you remember
when I called you last month
I know you were working,
but you answered to listen
to my new-mom-tears
I think we both remember.
Emily, I love the specific memories you share of your brother. The line “I pretended not to see you cry” is so heart-wrenching. I like how you develop the poem through a time sequence. Truly lovely poem! Thanks so much for sharing.
Emily, this is such a sweet collection of memories. I may have to use yours as a mentor text for my sister 😀 I especially like the lines “You spoke quietly, I spoke loudly” and “You checked the car/You smiled approvingly.” It’s interesting to see how our smallest gestures translate to love.
Emily, your use of the poetic device of repetition, makes this poem sing and it rings with the appreciation you express for your brother. I hope you have an opportunity to share it with him….maybe on his next birthday! Thanks for sharing,
Emily, all of these are unforgettable memories, but this is the one I love the most:
Do you remember
that night I came home drunk
You helped me sneak back in
I woke with a headache
and a glass of water by my bed
It shows that deep caring – – that water by your bed says he knew and he loved you and didn’t want you to hurt. That’s the icing on the cake.
I love the fact that you used a conversation with your brother as your platform. Connecting each stanza with the question, “Do you remember?” ties each memory to the last one as if you questioned as each memory came to you, like “oh, and do you remember….?”. Lovely, thanks.
Emily — I love your poem. The tenderness of the repeated “do you remember” is terrific. He keeps taking us to the task of paying attention..”.remember this, remember this, remember this… don’t you go and forget this, because it mattered to me.” Each stanza invokes in me an “ohhhh, that is just perfect” kind of response. My favorite is when you pretended not to see his tears. So touching. Thank you for crafting this so beautifully. Susie
Brothers three, what was it like
riding out days in Mom’s misandry,
othered in affection, neglected,
tripping on Her history of brothered favortism, bras
hanging on the laundry line above your basement beds?
Eight of us to your three, you didn’t stand a chance, dear
relatives, but I hope you heal loving your daughters.
Sarah,
I love the complications created in the sentence that forms the basis of your poem. I smiled thinking about those “bras / hanging in the laundry line above your / basement beds.” This female dominance likely has made your brothers better fathers. Thank you.
—Glenda
Dr. Donovan,
I really enjoyed reading this. You were able to so eloquently fit in the acrostic template but in a such a sneaky and concise way. “Brothers three…Mom’s misandry” has a nice ring to it, but is riddled with complication. The last line provides hope and betterment for your brothers. Thank you for sharing.
Sarah, as always you make an important big deal of the small details that make poems so big. For me that line is the “bras/hanging on the laundry line above your basement beds”. Just that one line reminds us that you are one of several children, house space was tight, and some siblings had to sleep in the basement. I do hope your hope comes true, too. Thanks for sharing.
Sarah, those bras will break a brother in to femaledom, won’t they? I love this image of them hanging, and the love they will have – – and understanding – – of their daughters is well-prepped, fertile soil!
Sarah — Oh boy, your poem really resonates with me… some of the same issues in my household … we were 4 girls/1 boy …. and that did not go well. You’ve resurrected many of the questions I’ve had over the years and especially the last line is a powerhouse. All that “misandry” can cause incredible messes as the next generations of daughters arrive. This his so so so close to home for me. You taught me a new word… I had never known “misandry” and am floored there is a term for that. Oddly, in my family, the sister who has a gigantic issue with misandry has a touch of that in her hame (Sandy). Isn’t that goofy?! Wow. The whole “I hate men” stuff is really lethal. Anyway, your poem really was particularly poignant for me tonight. Thank you so much, Susie
Kase
Born when I was four I was happy to have a lifelong friend
Remembering all the days we spent outside deciding who was better at basketball
Ornery but a master at never getting into trouble
Time spent with you was never dull
Happy to have a best friend live with me
Every day with you was an adventure
Random games we made to pass the long summer days
Kole, I love the joy shared in this poem. The very opening establishes how your brother became you life long friend. I was particularly struck by your last line as it made me think of all the goofy games my siblings and I would concoct to entertain ourselves. Thanks for sharing!
Kole,
This poem really explores the relationship between a younger and older sibling. “Ornery but a master at never getting into trouble” is so true for how younger sliblings work. I would know! Thank you for sharing this comical but heartfelt poem.
Kole, you must be a special big brother! Not many would be able to share such precious memories of a younger sibling! The line “Happy to have a best friend live with me” suggests the relationship continues to thrive. Thanks for sharing.
Kole, I hear you loudly and clearly: a master at never getting into trouble. Yep, mine is that same way.
Kole, when I read this poem that realtionship with your sibling shines it made me think back to all the good times that I have had with my brothers. Thank you for sharing this poem
Sheesh. Some beautiful poems here today, yall!!! About one of my favorite relationships. Thanks for the prompt, Anna. Love prompts that come easy once in a while. I like your use of sole/soul as well and “he’s a helper” – gotta love those!
I have one brother. His real name is Bubba. His given name is Eric. And he is very human and imperfect but I’ve always, always looked up to him because he is so many things I wish I was. I know they are very similar, but I’d like to know which one you like better 🙂
Bubba since I could say brother without the “r”s. I do not know you as anything but
Really opinionated. You love an argument and that’s one of the ways we are polar opposite.
Or obstinate or open or communicative or conversational, never shy or quiet like me.
These are the ways we’ve been different ever since we were children. You were my speaker, or always will be
Headstrong ‘Handyman Jack’ of all trades. What can’t you do? I am amazed.
Even though I’ve never been one to ask for advice, I know you’re a phone call away,
Responsible with age. I will always look up to you, and your children do/will too.
Human with imperfections – I won’t paint you out to be perfect – none of us are and
Even though I’ve never been one to ask for advice, I know you’re a phone call away, and
Really opinionated. You love an argument and that’s one of the ways we are polar opposite.
Manly, headstrong ‘Handyman Jack’ of all trades. What can’t you do? I am amazed.
Always, ever since I could say brother without the “r”s, you have been Bubba,
Never shy or quiet like me; very outgoing, open, communicative, conversational, naturally.
Overall, I will always look up to you, and your children do/will too.
Angie, poets like you can write just the right line that reflects the tension ((opposing emotions, not necessarily negative ones) in a relationship. This line stands out for me, “Even though I’ve never been one to ask for advice, I know you’re a phone call away,”. This line suggests you know you can depend on the brother whose opinions may be different, but they are respected.. Thanks for sharing.
Angie, I love this line best: Headstrong ‘Handyman Jack’ of all trades. What can’t you do? I am amazed, and I also like it with Manly preceding it. You show a sense of awe for your brother here in this line and readers know he is someone who can fix or make anything. It’s nice to have a well-skilled family member who seems to be able to do many things!
My family is a bit complicated. I have two half brothers unrelated to one another. My brother Steve Cowen lives in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and is an OSU grad. He and I are close and have vacationed together often.
“Baby Calf”
-Ball: First word. Foot/Base/Golf. Holy Trinity: Priorities. We
-Roll eyes when you insist: Wedding trip
-On pause: Watch. wait. Last pitch.
-The Cards win. California dreaming:
-Head to Dodger Stadium in Cardinal red.
-Even in a sea of blue, cheer Yadier.
-Remember: “Nothing Tips Like a Cow.”
—Glenda Funk
Oh, my goodness…you know the phrase, “cow tipping!” That’s a blast from my past. I never did cow tip…but lived in a place where that was a term. What a rich experience in your poem of brother time. You are fortunate.
I love the title. And “Roll eyes when you insist” HAHA! Ah! I can see it and I can feel myself do that. I like the way you’ve set this up and ended with a phrase to remember.
Glenda,
I smiled with “California dreaming” as I used that phrase in the “firsts” poem, and it is cool to see it used in another way, which gives me an idea for another day.
Just love all this imagery of baseball, I am struck thinking about all the ways some men related perhaps only through sports. What is happening to past time and memories and rituals of spring baseball.
Sarah
Glenda, your lovely poem reminds us that brothers are brothers whether or not they are “full-blooded”. Your lines “Head to Dodger Stadium in Cardinal red.” remind me of my sons. One was a rabid Steeler fan and the other a Cowboys fan! They’d show up in their favorite team attire. to watch games on TV. Even though they shared a bedroom, each with a bedspread of their team of choice, they generally remained friends. (Note “generally”.) Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Glenda, I love how you move from memory to memory in this poem, and the use of colons gives us the transitions into the next lines and thoughts. Cow tipping 🙂 and baseball games! What fun brotherly memories!
Glenda,
So many citations of good times, even “Roll eyes when you insist: Wedding trip.” This was fun; I feel as if I got a little insight into your brother!
M
Some things I love here—the holy trinity of ball-dom, and nothing tips like a cow. We always had stories of cow-tipping, but I was never sure they were true. There is a great song by The Little Willies called Cow Tipping—check it out. It will make you smile.
Glenda — This just really was funny. I love the Cardinal baseball game going through the whole thing. How hilarious is that?! That’s a brother to cherish… his own kinda screwball. Love it! Thanks, Susie
Anna, thank you for giving us a prompt that allows us to recognize the great men in our lives. I love the play on sole/soul in your piece. You truly honor both your brother and the relationship you have with him.
Bill, younger by nine years,
Rarely without a smile. At the age of four, you
Offered to shovel all 550 feet of our driveway by hand
Threading one path beyond the fields, pond, and barn to the road and one straight back
Home, never shrugging off the hard work, always giving of yourself, knowing the place we made for
Each other was the greatest
Reason to return.
Jennifer, what a sweet photo you painted with your words and that threading path around the farm as he shoveled the driveway. I loved that you spent some time there with him as a four-year-old. Very sweet, and then the ending shows he kept that quality of hard work. I love this message so much: “knowing the place we made for each other was the greatest reason to return.” Beautiful.
This is a very sweet portrait of a person everyone would want for a brother. I hope you can give your brother the gift of these words.
I really love this poem and how you’ve expressed your brother’s selflessness in this poem. “Always giving of yourself, knowing the place we made for each other was the greatest reason to return” these lines are really lovely to me. People who like to give are the best people.
Jennifer, I love the description of the path he shoveled. What a beautiful poem about your younger brother.
Jennifer,
It is so nice to meet your brother, Bill. Your poem has me thinking about love languages, and that his love language is likely acts of service. You know you are loved because of all these ways he has contributed to people’s lives but also that he does it with a “smile” — sounds like a great guy.
sarah
Jennifer,
The image of your brother shoveling and creating a path reminds me of a ribbon tying you and your siblings together. It’s lovely. Thank you.
—Glenda
Jennifer, this is a precious poem, relating small acts of kindness that are a big deal for a small kid! The closing lines, “Each other was the greatest/Reason to return”, not only demonstrate the poetic device of alliteration but also sum up the relationship you value. Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer, the picture of a four year old brother offering to shovel a driveway by hand, and then the ending: the greatest reason to return – – these are poignant thoughts and images. A touching tribute to your brother Bill. I hope he has his own personally engraved shovel for the memory of that job!!
Awe. This was such a great story. I loved that he offered to shovel the driveway and the image of the path was so vivid as I read it. I also love your line breaks. There was a certain rhythm that made me stop on some really important words like ‘Home’ and ‘Each other’. Those were great moments.
Anna,
Your brother sounds sweet. It puts a nice picture of him that he is older, but not bossy. I liked your helper for the H, too. My brothers are both helpers–one a police officer and one a teacher. What a great quality for brothers. It was hard to stop with just the short acronym, but for today, this will do. Thank you.
Bookend siblings–or the capital letter and period of our
Reed sibling sentence.
One, the oldest twin, the other,
The sweet and welcome baby boy after five girls. They were
Helpers in their careers and families. He was
Elder by 18 years, so
Rick had a special bond with Keith, but
Suddenly, in 2012, his heart failed and our sentence faltered.
Denise, those first two lines are beautifully crafted! I love them! Extending that metaphor of bookend siblings, the capital letter (oldest, tallest, height) and the period (last child) within the sibling sentence is masterful and returning to it with the faltered sentence at the end was heartbreaking and not at all where I expected it to travel. I’m bowing down to your words today and offering hugs on the loss of the capital of your family sentence.
Oh, I’m so sorry you lost Keith. What a sadness. You are fortunate to have such a rich life that included these boys. Helpers….that line from Mr. Rogers, look for the helpers. What a beautiful thing to be called, a helper.
Thank you, Linda, for your note. I guess I should redo those last lines. It was my oldest, Rick who has died.
Denise, this will be my favorite for the day and even though the acronym is short, you’ve done your brothers complete justice IMO. The “Reed sibling sentence” metaphor is beautiful and the ending “his heart failed and our sentence faltered” expresses the loss simply and powerfully. I am sorry, and thank you for sharing.
Denise, thank you for sharing your poem. It touched my heart. So beautiful to have a life surrounded by helpers. Bookend siblings and the sibling sentence – love it.
Denise,
Love that image — “bookend siblings” — and the way this metaphor threads through in capital letters, periods, and sentences. I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for introducing us to your family.
Sarah
Denise,
I love the metafictional elements in your poem: brothers as bookends and siblings as sentences. Thank you.
—Glenda
Denise, metaphors enrich poems in so many ways! Your use of bookends to symbolize the birth order of your brothers works well in this tribute. Though sad to read about the death of the brother, your extended use of the metaphor of the sentence gives the poem a melancholy ending, but one filled with admiration for the bond you experienced with your male siblings. Thanks for sharing.
Denise, what a beautiful metaphor: bookend siblings. Precious memories of your brother – – and the way you loop the sentence back at the end is creative and touching.
Anna, your brother sounds wonderful. You are most fortunate to have him. I did not have biological brothers. I do have two sons and am learning about brotherhood through them. Yesterday was a painful day. It made me think of the pain my Dad’s siblings went through with their brother who suffered from schizophrenia. Being a loving sibling to someone with mental illness is difficult. But, my Dad’s generation did it well. My uncle passed after a long life surrounded by love.
Brother Gerard
Being inside your mind isn’t easy. I know
Rather than feel dangerous you take your meds religiously
Occasionally, we joke and I miss you—the real you
Thorazine has given life tremors, shrunken muscle, soft bone
Hear my prayer, brother, hear my prayer
Even your monastic vow of poverty cannot impoverish us
Rosary beads count back to the beginning, our earliest novena
Linda, there is beauty and strength in your words this morning. Thank you for sharing the impact the disease and the medicine has made on your brother, but also showing us the person beyond that, the one whom you have such rich memories with. Lines 2 and 4 show us inside and the last two lines are written with such love.
Linda, this is a lovely tribute to your uncle. The turning to faith, and prayer at the end is powerful, and helps us see along with his medication how he may have religiously fought the disease. Thank you for sharing your tribute.
“You take your meds religiously” juxtaposed with monastic vow and novena is a strong metaphor. Sorry for your loss.
Such beautiful language to describe such a difficult situation and pain that a person has/people have to endure. I like the religious imagery that you have added. This line sticks out to me: “shrunken muscle, soft bone” – describing the effects of the pills so vividly. Thank you for sharing.
Linda,
I so appreciate this gentle introduction to your brother, allowing us to bear witness with compassion to his “monastic vow.” The religious imagery creates a solemn tone without pity. Such a beautiful final line of counting back to “earliest novena.”
Sarah
Linda,
This is both a loving and heartbreaking tribute. “Even your monastic vow of poverty cannot impoverish us” offers a paradoxical richness. Thank you.
—Glenda
Linda, that first line – – being inside your mind isn’t easy. I love thinking about this from different perspectives – – the person living inside the mind and the idea that others often try to understand what it’s like to be there. I wondered this about my mother when she had those moments of reality when awareness was full and she knew she had Parkinson’s Disease with Lewy Body Dementia. Those moments of being fully present were surely far more difficult than being inside her regular mind – just the same as I am sure it is with those suffering from similar losses of memory and mental illnesses. I’m so sorry about Gerald. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate, and it takes a ripple-effect toll on family members. Bless you for this beautiful tribute to Gerald.
Anna, thank you for this prompt today. I have one sibling – a brother,Ken – with whom I am blessed to have a close relationship. As preacher’s kids, we had to establish a circle of trust early on, and we still talk every few days to scheme and keep the antics thriving!
Baby by five years, he’s the Golden Isles
Real Estate Guy who was
Once a basketball coach and math
Teacher because he got the
Height and number genes
Even though he’s also a
Really gifted writer – – I don’t
Know what I’d do without his
Even-keeled patience and
Never-ending humor!
That is a gift poem…right there! What a beautiful tribute to someone you love. I hope you give this to your brother. You are a lucky girl.
Kim,
“Even-keeled patience and Never-ending humor” speaks volumes about your brother. You really described him well in such a few words and phrases. Nicely done, as always! I might have to try writing one for each of my brothers along with putting them both into one. Thank you.
Kim, you sum up all the traits of siblings in your piece today, the rivalry (he got the height and number genes), the pride (he’s also a really gifted writer), and the love (I don’t know what I’d do without…). Ken sounds like one of the good ones.
Your poem reflects a loving relationship.
My brother is also a math genius and a gifted writer! 🙂 I love how you added KEN at the end! 🙂
Kim, thank you for sharing your poem! I love “because he got the height and number genes”!
Kim,
It is great to see how we are all using this acrostic in different ways — how imagery works to introduce our brothers in so few lines. Love how this one is framed around “roles” or identities — the way he is seen by others and you in different contexts but always with patience and humor.
Sarah
Kim,
I love the addition of your brother’s name and the way you honor your brother’s many gifts. Thank you.
—Glenda