Brother

A poem about the estrangement of family.

We shared a father

not a mother

yet I still don't fully know you brother.

Age is not the only thing that separates us.

I understand this river of our father flows both ways.

You swam downstream and I swam up.

Yet I still wished I knew you better.

You're happy I know

and I'm glad.

One day you will be a dad.

Hopefully you learned from ours.

His strengths

His weaknesses

Brother you have always seemed a stranger.

And it's my fault.

Reviews

[Rachel Richardson]

I agree with ohsograceful that this poem has a very breathlike flow. I also appreciate that it is so stripped down to the bones. Nothing extra. Just the honest to God truth.

[ohsograceful]

love the form, it almost reminds me of breathing. The poem itself is piercing in its simplicity.

[aLittlePain]

A very heartfelt write. Stained with regret, but beautifully expressed. R xo

[Hebe]

We can all relate to this.... same family but....
great write and real!

[Lovecraft]

I can relate to this assuredly. Though I share a mother and not a father with three of my siblings. Very touching with a tinge of regret.

Nicely done, Tate! :)

[wordman]

you know this is a very frequent thing,i`m sure many can relate,i am one of those fathers

[Papaya]

Very heartfelt poem .

[Tate Viviano]

Thanks it sure is for me. Hope you enjoyed it!

[Papaya]

I did. I think many of us wish for a stronger bond with siblings... After the parents go they are our only living connection to them.

[WillaDanvers]

Beautiful and very real to relate to. I can feel the remorse or regret flowing through the poem, the weight of said fault on shoulders of the person of perspective. Great Job :)

[Tate Viviano]

Thanks so much it is definately one of my realest poems. Glad you enjoyed it!

[Sadie]

One of the ways I evaluate a poem is whether it stays with me a while after I have read it. Yours does:)

[Tate Viviano]

Aww shucks! It means so much to hear you say that!!!!

[Sadie]

Lovely flow to this poem. It shows a mature acceptance of the status of a sibling relationship, but almost wanting it to be different. Good insight:)

[Tate Viviano]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much!