Jerry Brotherton Poet Haibun

Never Give Up - Poor Man’s Steak

Together, my parents faced two world wars, the great depression, floods, fires, and some things that would bring most people to their knees. Imagine just where I would be if they had just decided that things were too rough and chucked in the towel. At the time, I didn’t think they had a lot to give. But looking back, I’m amazed at how much I got.

steak’s what I wanted 
bologna is what I got—
never went hungry

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Linda Alice Fowler January 1, 2026 at 7:47 AM Reminiscing about the sacrifices of our grandparents and parents usually leads to a new perspective on our lives. Nicely done Jerry! :)

Darlene De Beaulieu October 21, 2025 at 11:44 AM Hello Jerry Brotherton, bologna is a Newfoundland steak. I went to Newfoundland twice. Enjoyed my visit. I enjoyed the newfoundland steak. You were a lucky boy growing up. You had good parents. that loved you. Enjoy your day my friend. /Darlene/

Randy Freie September 9, 2025 at 10:12 AM I hear you Brother Jerry, my folks wore holes in their shoes to feed four hungry mouths. Dad was Navy, so he was gone a lot. Mom was the glue that held us together. She would make large pots of soup, spaghetti sauce, ham and beans, (my favorite), and then cleaned, made clothes for us, and taught us the "Golden Rule." Yep, we were poor, but we never went hungry.

Heidi Sands September 3, 2025 at 5:57 AM Nice one Jerry. How are you? I hope all is well :)

Smita Kulkarni July 12, 2025 at 11:29 AM Words full of wisdom! We need reminders from time to time when our minds start complaining about things that we need to deal with. Thank you for sharing your wise words, Jerry!

Bill Baker June 19, 2025 at 3:41 PM A good bologna sandwich is better these days for me. lol Made me remember all my parents did for us kids on very little. Thank you for helping me the remember to be grateful for those that cared for me along the way, Jerry. Nice Haibun! A poet friend in Texas, Tex ... a.k.a. Bill

sara Etgen-Baker June 16, 2025 at 3:19 PM wisdom in your reflective words. My parents, too, faced both wars and the depression...I grew up poor; steak was a rarity but bologna was not. I had an abundance of love. My parents were quintessential. Loved your words. Faving and following. yellow rose

Karen Jones June 15, 2025 at 2:14 PM We as adults reflect on loving parents with more love, gratitude and wisdom as well as amazement. Families were larger and more thrifty in some cases out of necessity! So glad you never went hungry. Not all can say that. Enjoyed

Jan Allison June 8, 2025 at 4:26 AM It's only years after the events that we look back and truly appreciate the lengths our parents went to to keep us fed and nourished Jerry !

Gershon Wolf June 5, 2025 at 8:18 PM An honest write from an honest man. No baloney here, Jerry. Gershon Wolf June 7, 2025 at 9:16 PM No bologna for me either: I ate pb&j sandwiches for lunch for 40 years --- 'til someone asked me why. I answered, "Gee, I don't know." Then I thought about it, and that was my last pb&j day! lol. Here's to your weekend, Jerry. Jerry Brotherton June 6, 2025 at 10:37 AM Thanks Gershon.