.

Love how this ends with "for/shame" and how you balance hurt/reproach and loving memory of sister. This is a very good poem, I think, and adds dimension to your work overall.
Honesty runs in the family, I see.  -Tom

John, really solid ending. you took the reader on an emotional journey with this one.

This is one powerful poem for me. Picked.

Oh heavenly days.  What a poem.  Good pick, Lavonne.

silent for now,
cheryl

you like?  thanks.
jy

Yeah, this poem has sort of a nostalgic appeal but not with too much sentimentality.  I don't know anyone who couldn't identify with the sibling issue or with the last two verses.  Having your sisters and brothers be proud of you is almost as important as your parents.  So it's kind of sad, but I know you can handle it.

good job.  you tell the story well.
cheryl

This is a peep through a keyhole for me.  I'm wondering why she would be ashamed.   It would seem that poetry would be such a part of you, that you and poetry would be inseparable to those who knew you.

It's an odd thing, how family responds -- mine anyway.  Even when they encourage me, there's some little embarrassment I sense on their parts. 

Great to see this one picked, john.  I could feel it.

lynn

This is a heartbreaking piece, John. The penultimate stanza is more confusing to me than anything, though, because I don't see the abashment, mortification, ignominy in the rest of the poem, so I'm not sure where these connections arise.

I love the way the speaker and his sister deal with the shame.  The way the sister is valued.  A brave question and a brave answer.  As usual John, the emotion portrayed without sentiment.  Good Job.

congrats here, John! tom

lavonne!  thanks for bumping this up!  this will be in my new book.  i'm really excited as it will be out any day now...officially March 1st, but unofficially a lot sooner.  thanks again.
john

Great to see this front page, John.

Looking forward to the book.

Cheers

milner

So good to read such a fine poem, John! Thanks!
Vasile

Vasile!  haven't seen you around here for a while!  how's the writing going?  and milner...thanks for your thoughts on my new book.  i'm 58 years old and am as excited about this book as i was about my first...40 god damn years ago!
john

:)

john,  you know i don't always "get" your poems..... this i get.   and some.

great front page,

k

Enjoyed the piece
you teach how form can shape
how the emotions come through.
It is my weakest area.
The implication is the feeling of poem, the thoughts
then the words have an idea form.
My question is what helps you make that judgement.
Why quantrains and not lines of five,
Enjoyed the piece

Mel

Good question, Mel! You make me want to rearrange it with different stanza breaks and see what happens. Tom

I like.

"i never knew it
until
a minute ago."

This one didn't come across as good as the rest though, altough it certainly works.

Oh John. Really felt this one. Somehow those close to us don't always understand. What a write.

Sharon