Resolution

[Delta40]

Dearest brother
this hand which dials your number
is the backbone of my faltering bravery.
Though my handset trembles,
it endures the perpetual ringing
of an uncertain end.
The hardihood of my sibling love
lends boldness to fear which
for now, remains undaunted when
a message says you are not at home
but please call back.

[PrinceMyshkin]

You had me at


the backbone of my faltering bravery

but even if you had not, you'd have had me by the end of this tremblingly brave poem!

[blank|verse]

Yes, it's a nicely captured moment which is stronger for not spelling out the exact nature of the relationship between the narrator and her brother; emotional without being sentimental.

I don't know if you've read any of Michael Donaghy's poems, but it reminds me both of his The Excuse (http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoem.do?poemId=147), and, inevitably, The Brother (http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoem.do;jsessionid=8A5B6F0B644A1FB7242F505F1 8574EFE?poemId=150).

And I presume 'hardihood' is an Australianism, as that was the only thing that stuck out for me. Nice work.

[hack]

Delta,
I like this.
Though I
might feel
some deeper
pang were I
the brother.
...peace...

[mpdague]

An excellent capture of the moment's blatant uncertainty.

M

[Delta40]

Prince - thank you. I rather like the line too.
B/V - Your observations are better than my intentions when I write but I'm willing to accept what you have noticed! I read those two poems and they are odd but intriguing. Hardihood means courage and durability.
Hack - There is nothing like a good pang to get us feeling!
mpdague - It is a moment of uncertainty - thank you.

[Buh4Bee]

Delta, lovely piece. Captures the dysfunction of family relationships so well.

[Hawkman]

Great poem, Delta. The unspoken backstory hinted at gives the piece extra depth and your word choice is imaculate. Well done.

best, H

[Delta40]

Thanks Hawk. Its always nice to receive feedback from you.

Jersea dysfunction of family relationships - what made you pinpoint that?

[yuka]

i just want to ask, did your brother call back?:) this reminds me of some of my uncertainty times of calling somebody. love

[Delta40]

He did thanks Yuka

[Haunted]

A strong undercurrent of mixed emotions in a complex sibling relationship, reminds me of my own.

[hillwalker]

A poignant piece of poetry at a time of year when families scattered around the globe (or perhaps much closer) pick up the telephone and hope....

You conveyed the insecurity of a relationship perhaps compromised in the past but now slowly rebuilding into something better. The fact that the narrator gets the ansaphone makes this even more powerful.

H

[Jerrybaldy]

Some annoying literal part of my mind jarred at the switch from hand to backbone. Aside from that, its a moment captured, that many can relate to, as shown in the comments above and honestly and smartly written.