The Sister Tree

you pulled me most of the way home
by the ear when I would not stay in line
you were a safety patrol leader and had
an arm band like the nazis wore

and once you shut my fingers in the door
when I would not let you close it

but you played beethoven on the piano
and you were beautiful and had
more friends than I ever did

and somewhere in the middle of your
five children came coffees when we
told each other secrets like children
and laughed about sibling things

when you died, we planted a tree in the yard
and we watched it grow years without you

and this winter the new owner trimmed it
with strings of white christmas lights
and as I drove by in the bark black night
I tugged on my ear and wept

Reviews

[Tree]

A deeply affecting piece. The silent power of memory and how it occasionally tugs at a man's heart, is something that I seem to chase after in my own work. I felt the poet here gave the reader just the right amount of subtle information, that gave this poem its evocative power. This poem touched me.

[Verser]

Thank you, Diego. I am glad it raised a bit of emotion for you. You can see me read the poem on VerseWrights in the "PoetryAloud" area, if you are interested.

Many thanks.

[Tree]

Carl, stopped by today to give The Sister Tree another read. It had the same effect on me, as when I first read it. One of my favorites.

[Tree]

Reading through your work again Carl, I always stop by the Sister Tree. It has become a ritual. One of my favorite poems here, and every time it moves me.

Thank you, again.

JD

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I just reread this...and it blew me away as much as the first time...fantastic piece of writing my friend...glad Kelly brought this back up.

[Kelly Scheppers]

My heart aches from reading this. I lost my older sister 20 years this December, and there isn't a day that goes by I do not think of her.

Thank you for allowing us to know your sister, too. That she played Beethoven, and pulled you by the ear...that she was beautiful. But it was your last verse that weighed most upon my heart...immeasurably so!

Such a lovely, touching piece I shall long remember!

[h d e rushin]

poetry is unable to stand fixed. Nonetheless it stands under the impelling admonition to move and
resolve. I too planted a tree (a stanley plumb) in the yard after the death of my father.
The neighbors garage burned down and the tree was destroyed. So I planted another one,
but this time further from the neighbors property. Knowing full well that memories
only take you as far as a loving hand will lead you.

I tried not to cry while writing this.
Wonderful write..dana

[Verser]

Thank you, Dana.

I have sent you an e-mail, and hope you will respond.

[Marie Anzalone]

Beautiful tribute piece, strikes just the right chords and makes us readers tug at our own memories, whether or not we have had siblings. Illuminating.

[Verser]

Thanks for your comments, Marie, and more importantly, thanks for all that you do, and all that you are.

[Joyce S. Greene]

A fantastic poem! I had tears in my eyes after reading the last stanza. So very touching and perfectly beautiful. I am in love with this poem.

[Verser]

Thanks so much. I appreciate it, and am glad that the poem worked for you.

[Onku Ghosh]

The connection between siblings is very strong and you realize that only when you are an adult. As children you are always fighting with each other.Your heart cr.ies out for the same brother who behaved like a nazi when you were kids.loved this line ''I tugged on my ear and wept "Lovely poem and wonderful thoughts Loved this poem of yours

[Verser]

Thanks, Onku. You pretty much summed it up. I am glad you liked the poem.

[gombeggar]

sad but pleasent nonetheless...well done

[Verser]

Thanks, gombeggar--much appreciated.

[Mike Emil]

nazis are peole too!!! HAI!!!

[Jéssica Fernande..]

the kind of serene sadness, built upon red berries memories - sometimes sweet, other times still a little bit bitter, but always the loveliest of the grove. oh, the bittersweet sadness. and this is so beautifully written, so powerful yet so soft at the same time.. i had do restrain myself not to cry. i felt it. oh, if i felt.. the last line is gold.

[Verser]

Jéssica, thank you so much. I must admit that I am partial to this poem. That last line has as much truth as fiction to it, and it still gets me a little. Thanks so much for commenting on my poem.