Someone has to take the blame
You stepped up, and took the licks
We shielded our ears and guarded hearts
Trying to forget what LOVE couldn't fix
We watched you go to work, so young
Bringing home your pay for our need
You, just a sibling, like us
Responsible for sheep you never wanted to lead
Food was limited, resources too
And you passed the treat with steady resolve
I saw your desire perk and flatten
As you walked away with no need to be involved
Even after you left the home
Creativity was traded in for work that paid
You raised a family while staying back
Until all your worth was taken in the fade
Now you sit in pain and anger
Wondering if anyone in this life will care
Believing if one person would finally notice
That your sacrifice is the lion's share
...thank you
Written by Trudy Schrader on 06-23-2026
Children, pancakes, needlework
An initial draft, a first book
It’s no surprise they came out weird
No matter what pains you took
The first one is the practice one
You need it, to make a start
It’s okay, it won’t be perfect;
We weren’t expecting a work of art
It’ll be squiggly around the edges
Details not well defined
Awkward, clunky, unpolished
Scruffy and unrefined
If you haven’t got the knack yet
It’s understandable, you’re new
You’re learning how to unlock your skills;
What you should and shouldn’t do
You have to make the cringey first one
So your deftness can grow wild
The next attempt will be infinitely better
By B Philippe (a second child)
74.
My Sibling
When she was born, they think I'm jealous
I used to pinch her skin like pillows
Maybe I am really abnormal
Her screwed up face sometimes makes me smile
Since a baby until she's teenage
I fill her days with frivolous rage
I hope her misery would end soon
I think to her I am not a boon
In deep reality I feel sad
Everytime when Angel's not around
Although I cursed her million times
I never regret her birth sublime
She's God's blessing whom I should cherish!
-11/28/2011
(Dumarao)
*First Incubus Collection
Love* runs along our family genes
binding our hearts together with caring fortitude
weaving my soul with that of Brods and Sis midst kindness
bringing out the best in us upon parents' nurture...
...toward sibling affectionate warmth
prevailing against distance and journey detours
transcending yon birthday celebrations
uniting us constantly while thriving in our own homes---
---while we immerse ourselves in Dad and Mom's legacy
our sibling love radiates with gratitude-glow
reinforcing their compassion midst faith in God
enabling our own children's triumphant reaching-out.
*1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
January 10, 2026
3rd place, "2026-01-01 Write A Beautiful Verse Poem" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Constance La France; judged on 1/15/2026
Is like saying
“I know my way around every corner, but I’m not allowed to walk through the door”
I lost my first tooth there
And I scraped my knee on the sidewalk out front.
My first cat tommy
Is lying
Bones in the backyard
Grave marked by nothing
But those old dead flowers
I used to live here.
absence makes the heart grow fonder.
This place used to be ours
And if you look
You may be able to find my name
Written on the door frame
Next to a height and age
And the nail sticking out of one of the stairs
That I stepped on
And I fell
And momma put a Band-Aid on the wound in this bathroom
And momma put ice on my head in this bedroom
And kissed me good night under this rattling ceiling fan
and I slept in this old place,
under this cracked ceiling
making faces out of the paint chips
making stories out of the sounds
the fridge
the air conditioner
the cars out front.
I used to live here.
It's my childhood home
But now someone new lives here
I secretly think,
It will always be ours more than anyone else's.
apart by miles
separated by time
neither makes a move to change it
both happy to be free of their annoying sibling
Won't write the entirety of my sibling's heartfelt letter,
But those lovingly sweet lines made me feel so much better,
Happier knowing I always helped them when under the weather.
.
aight
now tell me
again
your logic regard
'mine think'
lock'd
hern
"your
lips"
Thump
My sibling sister and friend without spite
or rivalry, I loved beyond compare;
Athena-like and lovely as the night,
your soul, a brilliant flame that burned with flair,
gave light to me and soothed my manic fears;
maternal saint and healer, you alone
have cared for me these dark, life-threatening years:
you rose as I declined—who might have known?
What genius I was you chose to forswear;
I still loved you more and not any less,
for I recalled childhood moments we shared,
of former times that gave us happiness.
Always loyal and by your side, I remained:
your brother, steadfast, sure, and wholly trained.
Oh ,my dearest and love some sibling shadow, listen, Are you still staying and living in my beloved soul ?, You are dancing gracefully in my dress of glisten, And you are looking like the darkest glittering coal ,
Wherever I go , you are willingly following me , You are my permanent companion in solitude, Are you a wonderful mirror of my soul of flee ?, Dancing cheerfully with you alone is always chewed, You are purposely speaking louder than words sometimes, That words are more reliable and content of true, You have many impressive stories to tell in nights, Alas , you are vanishing suddenly like a dew , And you hold the brightest and vivid secrets as rights.
How then shall I show love for our sisterhood?
Our mother’s baby birthed on this joyous day
A festive time with wishes ‘happy’ and good
No balloon filled room, cake, gifts on display
Belief systems stand first it’s well understood
So, in all due respect and come what may
Just poetry for YOU showing how I care
Without words which may displease God, I share
Without salutary words which may offend
In toughest of times with me you’ve always been
Soulful eyes I’d run to, my hurt you’d suspend
One hundred, forty four thousand for heaven
My selfless sister shall be one in the end
Devotion has earned a palatial inn
Forever dwelling on a pure restored earth
A poem for you this day mother gave birth
every game was about baby, the theme is pink and gold
the giggles and laughter by women, never get old
the jokes are hilarious, this baby shower is a delight
mom and I will talk about it all through the night
diaper pins were not easy to find, but we did it
the kidding was crazy, as was the game with oven mitt
hilarity was as fun as Tupperware parties back in the day
I do not know myself, but believe my auntie Kay
we got to guess the sex, which was fun, but redundant of course
the pink and gold theme was not meant for a unicorn horse
I never knew mom’s friends could be this much fun at all.
What a marvelous party to have; I had a ball!
cloth diapers were not easy, and we painted onesies too.
Most of the partygoers chose pink, I chose a royal blue
I want my little sibling to have the best, and lots of color.
Whether she be a sister or a sweet chubby pink brother.
Jane the eldest of three sisters, and the Tadpole was given an earlier debut. Hails the middle sister of extraordinary charm and endearinng demeanor that exemplifies an industry--I find lacking.
This be the common thread of most aspirants, forewarned a cobsweb be drawn innocence. She played Kristy McNichols bike friend on 'Friends', edged by a mom's hope.
I am glad that I met Louise Foley, Jane's sister, on what turned out to be my final drive to Carmel, as my own life was getting to be a Full House.
Special child triumphs midst physical zest
Expressing his love with warm gestures’ best
As his hugs and embrace
Reign over wheelchair race
Making him the winner in running test!
In pursuit to be champ in sports fest
Our special son is cheered to the fullest
While siblings with God's grace*
Drive him for success-pace
So, they all receive trophy, feeling blest!
*2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
May 14, 2024
4th place, "A New Funny or Bawdy Limerick Set" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Tania Kitchin; judged on 5/25/2024
Do you really care?
Sort out the black from white dress
So we live in peace.
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