cre8Buzz > People > Dads > Joeprah > Joeprah's cre8Buzz Blog > Decemeber Writing Assignment: The Last Year He Won
This photo is bent back,
hello Brother,
he's still smiling here.
We are sitting on the hood
of the old
blue
Impala,
his hair looks golden,
his skin soft and tan.
That summer,
Mom had a breakdown,
That summer,
Dad made my brother
look after her,
until she was committed.
She must have
shook
him
hard,
his faults
burst
open
letting the addict
out.
As I watched him
stumble
I never noticed
he sold me his
virtues
like pieces of his soul.
He could really play baseball then.
My best friend,
my twelve year old
big brother.
In that shirt
he was an Angel,
that's the last year he won.
Now, his demons
look down on him.
Did I steal his life,
quietly learning from each mistake?
Or did he crucify himself
to save his
clumsy,
little
brother?
Recent Comments
Pari said (6 months ago)
This is heartrending, it feels like it spills out straight from the gut and knocks the reader out, well it knocked me. It is very good, mainly because it is honest and from the soul and you have bared your wounds and your doubts without holding back.
magicallymama said (7 months ago)
Wow. That was powerful. You made it specific enough to be universal. The imagery is wonderful, the words fantastic. I am thoroughly impressed. You're a poet, too?!? Wow. I especially liked: "he sold me his virtues like pieces of his soul" and the end, of course, is amazing. "Did I steal his life, quietly learning from each mistake? Or did he crucify himself to save his clumsy, little brother?" Bravo.
reganblair said (8 months ago)
Joe-you write very well. Thanks for that. I love things that catch my attention like this. Regan
loveyh said (8 months ago)
Great poem. Very powerful. Reminds me to get on it--haven't done mine yet.
clairec23 said (9 months ago)
I wasn't expecting anything so good...I really enjoyed that. I'm so impressed by that poem, it said so much. You really are talented! I don't mean to sound suprised :D
terriclark said (9 months ago)
Wow, Joe. My stuff just spilled out of me but this is really well put together. Darn good!
averygray said (9 months ago)
Joe, that was amazing! That line--"that's the last year he won"--really stood out to me. It says so much. Thank you, thank you for sharing your incredible talent with all of us. You truly have a gift.
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ciara said (3 months ago)