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My Brother

Too young, Too soon. Gone. Just the other day you were laughing with me, Just the other day you hugged me. Just the other day you said “I’ll be home soon!”. You were just a hop, skip, and a jump across the pond. You were gonna come home the way you left, by plane. They sent you to that war over in the middle east. You weren't even supposed to be gone for very long. You were gonna come home, “Just a short time.” you said, “Just a quick trip.”. Just the other day you sent me videos, To check in on Mom and Dad and our little sister. You asked if I were on my best behavior and what was happening at home. Just the other night you told me to have sweet dreams and that’d you’d be home soon. Just the other day you were laughing, Just the other day you were smiling, Just the other day you were talking, Just the other day you hugged me goodbye, Just the other day you were warm… And your heart was beating. Just the other day you were supposed to come home, Just the other day there was a knock at the door, but it wasn't you. We all rushed to hug and kiss and see you again. But it wasn't you. Another soldier, In his dress uniform. A solemn look on his face, A folded flag in his hands. Mom started to cry, Dad, Was in shock. Our poor sister didn't understand and asked where you were. I had come to realize what was going on. You were supposed to come home. Not this poor man, Burdened with this news. You were supposed to come home, The way you left. They gave us your things, The backpack still had half a bottle of your favorite soda, Still left inside. When I pulled it out, The full force of reality hit me. Tears streamed down my face as I hugged that bottle to my chest crying “NO!” over and over. I cried out “Why?!? Why’d you take my brother!” to some unknown outer force, But there was no response. So I was forced to sit there as my sobs broke the silence and my tears plummeted to the ground. I held onto that bottle of half gone soda like my life depended on it. Because it was yours, And it was your favorite, And now… you are gone. You were supposed to come home the way you left, Smiling, Laughing, Heart beating. Not in a box, Not cold, Not with your eyes closed forever, And most definitely not dead. Just the other day you were here, With me, Alive. But now I wear black, and more tears stream silently down my cheeks, as you’re lowered down, in that box, beneath the earth. You were supposed to come home, But now you’re just gone.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014




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Date: 5/12/2014 11:50:00 AM
- A really great winning poem Katelyn - (it's been a while since I've participated in any contest) - Congratulations, well deserved! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
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Date: 5/11/2014 5:27:00 AM
Congratulations on a fine win for interesting write, Katelyn
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Date: 5/11/2014 2:14:00 AM
Katelyn, Thank you for everything, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Have yourself a wonderful night, and a beautiful mother's days.... (enjoy my latest blog if you like) xox~ Linda"
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Date: 5/3/2014 12:38:00 AM
awesome win....Linda
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Date: 5/2/2014 7:23:00 PM
I hope this didn't happen to your brother but I know it has happened over and over again and it is so sad. You spelled it out wonderfully. I would have put this much higher. Congratulations. Love, Joyce
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Date: 4/22/2014 1:28:00 PM
Katelyn, , Stopping by with a nice, sweet Welcome to Poetry Soup. I will find much delight, in reading and in time become familiar with your poetry. At this very moment, I will greet you with the same smile, other poets passed when I first join the soup 4 years ago. I wish you the best when it comes to your writings. I hope you get to meet all the nice poets around here. Starting with me. SKAT :-) Please drop a hello and tell me a little about yourself if you like. I would like to be your newest poetry soup "FRIEND". Hugs* SKAT
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Date: 4/18/2014 12:11:00 PM
- Warm welcome to PoetrySoup, Katelyn :) - I choose your first great written poem about your brother - Nice to meet you :) - Hope you will be satisfied with our "soup family" - we are many .. but has plenty of room for you too- PoetrySoup Rule1: Be kind and keep PoetrySoup a haven. PoetrySoup is a drama free zone(Comment on the poetry of others and they will comment on yours.) Thank you posted your words and thoughts here, I want to come back to read more another day. - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
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Date: 4/18/2014 8:39:00 AM
Hi Katelyn, , WELCOME to poetry soup. I hope you enjoy the community, as I did when I first join, March 2010. You'll find many friendly poets, who are ready to support and give positive feedback. I want to be the first to invite you on over, to the contest page. I OFFER MY CONTEST, in hopes it inspires you to write another poem. I'm looking forward to following you and your poetry ha-ha a special pair:) here's the link to the contest page. http://www.poetrysoup.com/poetry_contests/ <---~Take Care!! From: your new poet friend @-> LINDA <-@
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Date: 4/17/2014 8:31:00 PM
Katelyn, I am going to make the assumption that this poem is true and written about your brother. I know the pain you carry for I have lost a son, not in war, but much too soon. I have not been on Poetry Soup long, but have found people here kind and supportive. Welcome. Thank you for writing.
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Roussell Avatar
Katelyn Roussell
Date: 4/17/2014 9:38:00 PM
To be honest, I actually never had a brother. None of this is true. I wrote this after I had a nightmare and just really felt this sadness and terrible feeling of loss even though it never happened. I'm glad you were able to connect to the poem though, I'm extremely sorry for your loss and my heart goes out to you. Thank you for welcoming me as well, I have much more poetry to post, and I truly hope people can connect to my writing the way you have.

Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry