We came from the same place
only, I arrived a bit later.
A young boy
standing face to chest with my idol.
I studied your movements,
language,
orbited you
my own sun.
We grew.
Coagulated.
Years passed this way.
Cooled in the shade
of your long shadow.
But, you had to leave.
Distance created
amnesia.
Partners thinned
to acquaintances.
You've returned,
but age has darkened
the memories.
Pitting our brains.
Causing irreparable harm.
I see you often.
The distance endures.
Family cookouts.
The distance endures.
Sunday dinners.
The distance endures.
Christmas morning.
The distance endures.
I knew you well.
The distance endures.
I don't know you at all.
3 comments:
I figured I'd continue the family theme. Though I don't think that I have a mother poem in my. My brother and I have an odd relationship...so I've got this going for me. I think that I could spend more time on the middle stanzas. I might be trying to do too much.
I relate to this poem a lot, Chris. I have a cordial relationship with my brother, which, in my opinion, isn't particularly healthy between family members. Each stanza offers a poignant idea: the idea of orbiting around your older brother, sheltered under his shadow, and then the amnesia and the distance. The repetition you offer in your final stanza is powerful and reminds me of your excellent use of anaphora in Whitecotton. I like that you changed the title too: I wonder if it can work both ways? Can your brother feel the same way about you, or is this specific to the younger brother's perspective?
Way to break the theme for the day here Broseph. And of course you had to pick a theme from a well that I've pretty much run dry with my M.A. project. =p
Obviously, I completely relate to this poem. I dig the line "Pitting our brains." It's raw and fitting. Also, the repetition of the line in the last stanza is really effective and it makes the last line really hit home.
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