Song of Myself
I was a Poet!
But I did not know it,
Neither did my Mother,
Nor my Sister nor my Brother.
The Rich were not aware of it;
The Poor took no care of it.
The Reverend Mr. Drewitt
Never knew it.
The High did not suspect it;
The Low could not detect it.
Aunt Sue
Said it was obviously untrue.
Uncle Ned
Said I was off my head:
(This from a Colonial
Was really a good testimonial.)
Still everybody seemed to think
That genius owes a good deal to drink.
So that is how
I am not a poet now,
And why
My inspiration has run dry.
It is no sort of use
To cultivate the Muse
If vulgar people
Can't tell a village pump from a church steeple.
I am merely apologizing
For the lack of the surprising
In what I write
To-night.
I am quite well-meaning,
But a lot of things are always intervening
Between
What I mean
And what it is said
I had in my head.
It is all very puzzling.
Uncle Ned
Says Poets need muzzling.
He might
Be right.
Good-night!
poem by Sir Walter Raleigh
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Sisters And Brothers
I wish I had a sister, who would be there all the time
I wish I had a brother, who would be all mine
I wish I wasnt alone anymore just as I am
so mabey I need to take a stand
all I have is my mother.
My sister and brother are both gone
not one of them here when I get home
sometimes not even my mother
I have to have a sister or brother.
My sister and brother both are gone
but they wont be alone for long
for even though I never saw them from the start
they will always be here in my heart.
poem by jamika Eichelberger
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Cry
Our fire will rise
Ringmaster's eyes
Funhouse will rock
Those boys don't lie
Immortal fear
It's voice so clear
Through broken walls
Your screams I hear
Cry little sister
Come, come to your brother
Unchain me sister
Love is with your brother
Clown masquerade rich boys look up
When will they learn
This loneliness?
Temptation's heat
Milenko's word
Deep in your soul
You cannot lie
Come, come to your brother
Unchain me sister
Love is with your brother
Our shangrila
You can't forget
Always so close
Come to us now
Cry little sister
Come, come to your brother
Unchain me sister
Love is with your brother
Cry little sister
Come, come to your brother
Unchain me sister
Love is with your brother
Cry, little sister
song performed by by Zug Izland
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
My Brother Sarah - Sway B-side
My brother sarah
Doesn't know what clothes to wear
It's a dilemma
To get the stuff to match your hair
But mother and father
Sister and brother
Say they just don't know
My brother sarah
Really wish you understood
Why he's got to show it
For it to be any damn good
But mother and father
Sister and brother
Say they just don't know
My brother lies awake at night
Wishing this world could just be right
But mother and father
Sister and brother
You and all the others
Say you just don't know
song performed by by Ocean Colour Scene
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Rednecks unite!
My father is my brother
My sister, with three ears,
Is his significant other.
My sister is my mother
And somehow, also my brother
My father's father am I
The vile thought makes me shudder.
Grandma was a mule,
Grandfather's sperm, she used as fuel
A french aristrocrat,
Made love to my mother, for he prefered his women fat
A letter written for my eyes
Containing news of demine
Said my true mother was some other
And my father, not her brother.
Jubilant and joyous,
My wife is what used to by my sister.. Or brother?
poem by Thy Mother
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Orphan Girl
(gillian welch)
I am a orphan
On gods highway
But Ill share my troubles
If you go my way
I have no mother
No father no sister
No brother
I am an orphan girl
I have had friendships
Pure and golden
But the ties of kinship
I have not known them
I know no mother
No father no sister
No brother
I am an orphan girl
But when he calls me
I will be able
To meet my family
At gods table
Ill meet my mother
My father my sister
My brother
No more an orphan girl
Blessed savior
Make me willing
And walk beside me
Until Im with them
Be my mother
My father my sister
My brother
I am an orphan girl
Be my mother
My father my sister
My brother
I am an orphan girl
I am an orphan girl
song performed by by Emmylou Harris
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The Butterfly
SISTER.
Do, my dearest brother John,
Let that butterfly alone.
BROTHER.
What harm now do I do?
You're always making such a noise-
SISTER.
O fie, John; none but naughty boys
Say such rude words as you.
BROTHER.
Because you're always speaking sharp:
On the same thing you always harp.
A bird one may not catch,
Nor find a nest, nor angle neither,
Nor from the peacock pluck a feather,
But you are on the watch
To moralize and lecture still.
SISTER.
And ever lecture, John, I will,
When such sad things I hear.
But talk not now of what is past;
The moments fly away too fast,
Though endlessly they seem to last
To that poor soul in fear.
BROTHER.
Well, soon (I say) I'll let it loose;
But, sister, you talk like a goose,
There's no soul in a fly.
SISTER.
It has a form and fibres fine,
Were tempered by the hand divine
Who dwells beyond the sky.
Look, brother, you have hurt its wing-
And plainly by its fluttering
You see it's in distress.
Gay painted coxcomb, spangled beau,
A butterfly is called, you know,
That's always in full dress:
The finest gentleman of all
Insects he is-he gave a ball,
You know the poet wrote.
Let's fancy this the very same,
And then you'll own you've been to blame
To spoil his silken coat.
BROTHER.
Your dancing, spangled, powdered beau,
Look, through the air I've let him go:
And now we're friends again.
As sure as he is in the air,
From this time, Ann, I will take care,
And try to be humane.
poem by Charles Lamb
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Mother Is Giving Birth To Your Brother Or Sister
Mother is giving birth
To your sister or brother
I know that you are mother's little girl
And you want a brother so badly
Mother can't tell you if you are going to have
A brother or a sister right now
And I am excited for us also
poem by Aldo Kraas
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
For Sharon (my little sister and second mother)
You were always my little sister, whether you knew it or not,
Even though you thought differently, when you were just a tot-
Even way back then, you wanted to take care of me,
You put on the Big Sister act, it didn't bother me, you see-
But when I reflect on those early times, I find I am mistaken-
For those years you stood by me, for granted you were taken.
You married young in life, your roads were rough, like mine-
But now your days are treasured, like aged and ripe old wine.
You've found the one that loves you, that one with the special glow-
That very special mate...hold him tight and don't let go!
And here I'm writing verse to you, to give you thanks and blessing-
For the times that you took care of me, for the grooming and the dressing!
Thanks for the times you freely gave, thanks for all of the care-
That was sisterly love, that only a sister could share!
You were my little sister- I was the other brother -
And now, the secret's out - You were my second mother!
poem by David Lessard
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
It's All Relative: : Humour
My mother’s brother’s sister’s name is Grace
She’s my aunt and likes to go from place to place
My mother’s sister’s brother’s name is Brad
He’s my uncle and he is my cousin’s Dad
My grandmother on my mother’s side
Is my maternal gran, she is my grandfather’s bride
She also is my father’s mother-in-law
And not surprisingly they often go to war
My cousin is the nephew of my mother
His father happens to be my mother’s brother
My aunty’s niece is in fact myself
If you're confused please don't look at me for help
(Sydney, Australia - 2005)
poem by Alessandra Liverani
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
What Is Fancy?
SISTER.
I am to write three lines, and you
Three others that will rhyme.
There-now I've done my task.
BROTHER.
Three stupid lines as e'er I knew.
When you've the pen next time,
Some question of me ask.
SISTER.
Then tell me, brother, and pray mind,
Brother, you tell me true:
What sort of thing is fancy?
BROTHER.
By all that I can ever find,
'Tis something that is very new,
And what no dunces can see.
SISTER.
That is not half the way to tell
What fancy is about;
So pray now tell me more.
BROTHER.
Sister, I think 'twere quite as well
That you should find it out;
So think the matter o'er.
SISTER.
It's what comes in our heads when we
Play at 'Let's-make-believe,'
And when we play at 'Guessing.'
BROTHER.
And I have heard it said to be
A talent often makes us grieve,
And sometimes proves a blessing.
poem by Charles Lamb
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Brothers, Sisters
I don’t care what skin you’re in
You’re my brother
And I love you
I don’t care how messed up its bin
You’re my sister
And I love you
The past
Its history
He’s won the victory
You’re my brother
My sister
I love you
South African
Through and through
Should have Gone through pain and sorrow with you
My brothers and sisters
I love you
I watched as people discriminated
They ostracized
The pride
The pain
My brother
My sister
Love hurts
But by Christ we see
It’s the only way it should be
Sacrifice fuels our hearts
It sets us ablaze
For you
I will risk it
Our citizenship
On paper- False
But in our hearts- the rebirth certificate
A citizenship not of this world
Made one by Christ
We’re together
No more divides
My brother and sister
I love you
How can I just stand by?
How can I live my life without loving you?
You’re my brother
You’re my sister
And I love you
By his scars we are made one
By his bruises set free
He accepts us as we are
Broken and battered
He loves us at the greatest cost
So why should I hold back?
How can I?
With such knowledge all I can do is love you
My brother and my sister
poem by Jessica Nobubele Frame
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
To Have and Have Not
Another brother has a mother
A brother a sister a father
A daughter son and dog
The poor brother is
A father a son a master
& Yet has not known love
poem by Deci Hernandez
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Absurdity
i was telling sister it was
spring again even though
she knew this but I wanted
her to know it for a sure
thing, she was saying
brother there’s still snow
on the ground, the geese
haven’t even made their
way home yet, it was the
way sure things are sure
until someone says some-
thing, mother’s already
left four messages, let
me know how she’s doing
i’m sure, it’s been four
months since they’ve
spoken, even the phones
have been silent on
both ends, it’s what hap-
pens when sister keeps
going back to the stuff, she’s
saying there’s still ice
on the river, the trees still
crack at night sometimes,
but sister the sun’s back
and I saw the color yellow
yesterday, what you have
here is an absurdity, how
to tell mother I’m stoned
with my sister and arguing
about spring.
poem by Ben Paynter
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A sister. A brother.
A brother is the one who holds you as you shake in fear.
A sister is the one who looks up at you with love on her face.
A brother is the one who whipes the tears from your face and hugs you tight.
A sister is the one who tells you her deepest fears and her dreams for the future.
A brother is the one who watches as you becomes the woman you always wanted to be.
A sister is the one who fulfills her dreams with you right by her side, cheering her on.
A brother is the one who holds you through the downs and smiles through the ups.
A sister is the one who thanks you for your love and support.
A brother is the one who just smiles and says it was his pleasure.
A sister is the one who looks at you like the stars that shine.
A brother is the one who looks at you like you are his world.
A sister.
A brother.
They need each other.
poem by Samantha Hickey
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Humiliation Of My People
my rich brother politician
is humiliating my people
poor people,
never empowered to stand on their
own feet, they keep waiting
for masters
to make them whole again
crippled, and limping
my rich brother's hand keep
pretending to take
them from the
quicksands of poverty
but i know the mind of my
rich brother whose laughter sounds like
the devil
now that he needs all of them
he feeds them and clothes them
but soon these will simmer
and fade and the truth
about my rich brother comes out
but it will be late already
my rich brother has already taken the power
and enriches himself some more
leaving my poor people back in their shanties
again scavenging for food
and begging for clothing
the humiliation will never stop
from time to time all of them shall be hailed
like those in
the Schindler's list.
but soon there will be light and music
and progress
streams of yellow rays from the Sun God
possessed with
Integrity and Truth
and Justice and
Goodness.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
William House and Family
Come all kind friends, both far and near,
Come listen to me and you shall hear --
It's of a family and their fate,
All about them I will relate.
They once did live at Edgerton,
They once did live at Muskegon,
From there they went to Chicago,
Which proved their fatal overthrow.
It was William House's family,
As fine a family as you see --
His family was eleven in all,
I do not think it was very small.
Two children died some years ago,
Before they went to Chicago,
Five children there he had with him,
When death his home there enters in.
The small-pox then was raging there,
And Oh! it would not their house spare,
For all but one was sick of them,
A dreadful house it must have been.
The eldest girl was married then,
The eldest boy was in Michigan,
The second boy he was at home,
And took care of them all alone.
His father and his mother dear,
And dear sister, too, I hear,
Were very sick and in his care,
And no kind friends to help him there:
Two little brothers, and a baby too,
Made six in all -- what could he do,
He had to take care of them all,
The baby, too, was very small.
As he would go to his father's bed,
And try to soothe his aching head,
"My son, I pray you leave me, do
Go take care of poor mother, too."
"Your mother and sister need your care,
And your little infant brother there;
Oh! Charlie, Charlie, take care of them,
My son, do all for them you can."
It seemed as though he did not know
That his poor soul so soon must go,
And leave his little ones he loved,
To go to that bright world above.
But God he called his soul away,
It had to leave, it could not stay --
He never more on earth will be,
His soul is from sin and sorrow free.
Charles helped the sexton, I am told,
To lay his form in the coffin cold --
How sad, how sad, poor soul was he,
When last his father's form did see.
Minnie May House she had to go,
And leave her friends that loved her so --
She was a girl in her teens,
A lovely flower as e'er was seen.
Minnie and her mother lay on one bed,
And when Charles said, "our Minnie is dead,"
His mother then she did grow wild,
And early after knew her child.
They buried Minnie by her father's side,
And left them there where they had died --
Charles took his mother and brothers then
And brought them back to Michigan.
For the mother and the baby too,
Kind friends did all that they could do,
But those poor souls they could not save,
For now they're sleeping in their grave.
Oh! what a noble son was he,
His age was then only sixteen --
Charles House's name I have told before
God bless his soul forever more.
poem by Julia A Moore
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
To My Best Mother
To my best mother,
You and my great father
Take good care of your children.
In good and bad times, you're there.
To my best mother in the world,
You've shown your genuine love
When I was still in your womb.
From newborn, I knew I was secured.
Thank you for being my mother.
You're my best friend and my mentor.
I love you, though sometimes, I forget you.
My mother, I'll always remember you.
I'll remember your noble teachings.
I'll love my brother and sister.
I'll value my family, relatives, and friends.
I'll seek guidance to God forever.
To my best mother,
My beloved mother in the world,
Please forgive us for our mistakes.
We your children love you always.
poem by Alon Calinao Dy
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
What Is Life
What is life
But life itsself
Truth and love
Love and truth
From brother to brother
Sister to sister
Mother to father
To eachother
TO say you care
No matter how fare
ILL always and forever
Say ill be there
poem by Andrew Houston
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Every One's Talking,
every one's talking,
all they did to me,
they be talking,
I knew them for these pattern's,
every one's talking of I,
I don't think I have a brother,
no a sister,
the negation burn in me,
when trust is in selling your right's,
I know that you I loved,
Sustained my time,
I honour the Lord for taking me to Heaven,
Reason of life and death,
You sustained my blood,
Washed me and every one's talking of me,
All they do is talk ill of me,
When will us have peace, ?
War never stopping.
War escalating,
War of Iraq and America,
War of the Middle East,
All my brother's and sister's,
from America,
All my brother's and sister's
from Iraq,
All my brother's and sister's
from the Middle East,
Tell me what's going on,
President's
Tell me what's going on,
When you kill our brother's,
Steal our sister's,
Then I will be bothered,
That the war never end's,
When my brother's die from the middle east,
I'm ready to be a victim,
It really affect's each human being,
The world is not a boundary of countries,
The world is an integration of metaphysical volition,
Brothers and Sister's,
I don't need these trouble's,
Tell me what's going on,
I don't need these trouble's,
I've had enough from the world,
We don't need no more trouble's.
poem by Maxim Muyu
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Love From A Brother
Talked like besties..
Talked like friends..
In the end..
Talked like brothers and sisters..
A brother filled with love..
A brother full of joy..
A brother full of hope..
And the best is a brother full of care..
He’s amazing..
He’s wonderful..
He’s Always around…
I tell him everything..
Everything that comes into my mind…
If I was to be honest..
He is great! !
A brother should help you..
In whatever situation your in..
Starting at problems..
And finishing with Laughter..
Your Brother..
He’s a person that will understand..
A person that makes fun of you..
In a very funny way..
Which makes you giggle and laugh along..
My brother is my life..
He is my everything..
If he goes..
Then there is no-one else in this world..
But if it was me to be going..
I would make him Happy..
And keep him smiling..
Till his day comes..
I’d wished I was always with him..
Taking to him..
Going out places with him..
And more..
I wish I could live..
Like..
I was his lil sister..
Two fingers on one hand..
A real brother and sister would live..
I know that onde day..
In my life..
I will see him..
I will live like I was his little sister..
Now all I do..
Is wait..
Wait for that one day to come! !
This is how a real brother should be! !
poem by Heaven Gift
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!