My Brother is Coming (Updated)
The warm drops stream down my face,
As if the most horrific stabbing has been endured.
I can still hear the echoes bounce
Off the walls of the room which separates me from
Those who’s DNA to me is most similar.
It is the cooking in the next room
That keeps my heartbeat level elevated.
The continuous noise of laughter and kisses
Creates the irony of events outside my personal four- walled shelter.
After the sounds of the enclosed fists
Pounding on the cedar wood begins to end
I allow the oxygen to go smoothly down my lungs once again.
"Your going to be a big sister again."
The green monster within
about to expel the fire in his throat.
My fingers quivering with the roaring anger.
My parental figures
unlock the gold key hole from outside.
My breath stabilizes.
My body allows the steams of congratulations to enter
As my brain becomes numb from the confusion of my erratic movements.
My Brother is Coming (Original)
The warm drops streamed down my face,
As if the most horrific crime was being committed.
I can still hear the echoes bouncing
Off the walls of the room separating me from
Those people who’s blood to me is most similar.
It is the cooking in the next room
That keeps my heartbeat level elevated.
The continuous sounds of laughter and kisses
Creates the irony of events outside my personal four- walled
shelter.
After the sounds of the enclosed fists
Pounding across my rigid wood begins to end
I allow the oxygen go smoothly down my lungs once again.
My body allows the steams of congratulations to enter
As my brain becomes numb from the confusion of my body’s
reaction.
Hi Elicia. There are some interesting elements to this poem. I like how it explores what seems to be an uncomfortable feeling for the speaker--mixed feelings, I presume, about the speaker's brother. It remains rather mysterious, and this is OK, but if you want me to understand the specifics, more work will need to be done.
ReplyDeleteSome suggestions: line two is abstract and general. Why not specify an actual crime? Stanza two seems to be about feeling alienated from one's family. This is coming through clearly for me.
This line totally confused me: "Pounding across my rigid wood begins to end"
Also, the last phrase seems too abstract to me: "the confusion of my body’s reaction" Can you show this in an image or with a more concrete description of some sort? Hope this is helpful.
Hey! I enjoyed the irony in this poem.. That is if I'm reading this right.. It seems to me to be about the birth of the author's brother and the author, not being sure of what's completely happening (maybe too young to understand?) is scared. If I am right, I would have to say that's a great way of depicting it! Though I wish it was a bit more clear.. Otherwise, great!
ReplyDeleteI loved how the mixed feelings of the speaker are being shown in the reactions of the speaker's body- "heartbeat level elevated", "oxygen smoothly down my lungs", "brain becomes numb." I think you did an incredible job with the "show, don't tell" rule in this poem. My only suggestion would be to make the event occurring slightly more understandable for the readers. Other than that, it was exciting to read. -Abigail Adler
ReplyDeleteElicia! This is a great first poem! When I finished reading it, the first thing that popped into my head was - "What?!" I loved the tension and ambiguity, and really felt the discomfort of having so many mixed feelings- very relatable. Among other images that evoke tension, the phrase "Begins to end" stood out to me in particular. While a part of me does want to know what exactly is going on here, there is definitely an entertaining value to the vagueness.
ReplyDeleteI thought this poem was great! You can feel the speakers uncomfortable nature and at the same time are trying to figure out why the speaker is feeling this way. You definitely used the show don't tell idea well and I could see the details in my head as I was reading.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that the poem you expressed for our "worst poem" exercise and this one both express confusion at the feelings you have for close people in your life. :)
ReplyDeleteThe images you employ in this poem are physical in nature: sweat dripping, heartbeat level, and tight fists. I found that this made the speaker's emotions more intense which I liked. I think this poem could use more clarity on some of the emotions in the stanzas. I am curious to know why there are negative feelings towards the brother. If not negative, why are there feelings of tension?
Good job!
This poem packs a lot of emotion into a very short space, and I was really able to connect to the speaker having a completely different experience of the event than the people inside the room next to her. I got the same impression as Nahal, that a baby brother was being born and the speaker is young and confused. I also agree that some things could be clarified while still maintaining the great imagery already in the poem.
ReplyDeleteI liked the way this poem addressed many body parts and showed how the speaker was reacting in varied ways. However, I am still unsure of what exactly was happening other than the fact that the speakers brother is coming. Also, the line "Those people who’s blood to me is most similar" seems a little unnatural...maybe play with the synatx. Good job!
ReplyDelete