13 Must-Read Poems about Brothers

In poems about brothers, poets explore the fundamental connection between brothers. Brother poems may take a look at the more negative elements of these relationships or the positive ways that brothers support one another throughout life.

More often than not, poems about brothers or brotherhood are defined by their interest in how men grow together throughout life and learn from one another. Readers shouldn’t be surprised to find many brother poems are about relationships that resemble brotherhood but aren’t concerned with biologically related siblings.

Poets may spend these poems alluding to the ways that their persona, or perhaps the poet themselves, was impacted by bonds of brotherhood and supported during a difficult time. These poems also take place in various circumstances, some in war or within the everyday challenges of modern life.

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To My Brothers

by John Keats

‘To My Brothers’ by John Keats encapsulates familial love, intellectual camaraderie, and the fleeting beauty of shared moments in life.

The topic of brothers is perceived by celebrating the intimate bond and mutual affection shared between siblings. Through tender expressions of love and gratitude, the poem highlights the unique connection and camaraderie that exists between brothers. It portrays brothers as sources of support, companionship, and understanding, emphasizing the deep bond and shared experiences that define their relationship.

Small, busy flames play through the fresh-laid coals,

And their faint cracklings o'er our silence creep

Like whispers of the household gods that keep

A gentle empire o'er fraternal souls.

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An Extraordinary Morning

by Philip Levine

‘An Extraordinary Morning’ by Philip Levine is a moving poem that exalts and admires the brotherly love shared between two laborers enjoying being off the clock.

The two men who appear in this poem by Philip Levine might not be biological brothers, but they are connected by a similarly unbreakable bond. Throughout the poem, the speaker insinuates their relationship is forged in a brotherly love; one built on spending long hours working alongside one another. As a result, the poem touches on the poet's resounding belief in the shared pride and dignity of blue-collar workers.

Two young men—you just might call them boys—

waiting for the Woodward streetcar to get

them downtown. Yes, they’re tired, they’re also

dirty, and happy. Happy because they’ve

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Two Lines from the Brothers Grimm

by Gregory Orr

‘Two Lines from the Brothers Grimm’ by Gregory Orr is a short and impactful poem. In it, the speaker describes approaching dangers and the need to escape them with his sibling.

The poem centers on the relationship between the speaker and their sibling, likely a brother. This bond is crucial as they face a dangerous situation together, showing how family ties provide support in tough times. The poem reflects the strength and importance of sibling relationships during moments of fear and uncertainty.

They have taken our parents away.
Downstairs in the half dark, two strangers
move about, lighting the stove.

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Kin

by Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou’s ‘Kin’ weaves familial complexities, exploring sibling bonds through entwined red rings, whispered secrets, and hopeful renewal.

This poem intricately explores the theme of brothers, portraying the profound connection between the speaker and Bailey. The entwined red rings symbolize shared blood ties, while Bailey's attempts to mold strangers into brothers depict the complexities within sibling relationships. The poem delves into the challenges, separations, and the eventual renewal that characterize the intricate tapestry of brotherhood.

We were entwined in red rings

Of blood and loneliness before

The first snows fell

Before muddy rivers seeded clouds

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Cuddle Doon

by Alexander Anderson

‘Cuddle Doon’ by Alexander Anderson is a poem about a mother trying to persuade her children to go to sleep. It uses Scots dialect to convey the culture of the speaker and her family.

Although told from the mother's perspective, 'Cuddle Doon' is also about brothers. The three boys are all very young and they do not always get along. However, when the mother checks on her children in the later evening, she finds that the two who were fighting earlier have their arms around each other as they sleep.

The bairnies cuddle doon at nicht

Wi muckle faught and din.

“Oh try an’ sleep, ye waukrife rogues,

Your faither’s comin’ in.”

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Visitor’s Room

by Lee Gurga

‘Visitor’s Room’ by Lee Gurga is a haiku that looks at the experience of someone waiting in a visitor’s room, conveying their emotions.

Although he is only mentioned in the very last line of the poem, the brother is the only character in the poem and, with his mention, becomes a central figure in the poem. His liveliness contrasts with the still atmosphere of the visitor's room. The narrator does not seem to be overly impressed with this behavior, which reveals something of their relationship. However, this is only implied.

Visitor's room-

Everything bolted down.

Except my brother.

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What Work Is

by Philip Levine

‘What Work Is’ by Philip Levine attempts to reconcile the speaker’s perceptions of what work is versus the tormenting experience of waiting for it.

The speaker's relationship with their brother is an important aspect of the poem. They admire their brother and deeply love them, but they also admit that they do not express those feelings enough. Levine's poem reveals the nuances of a relationship between two brothers that is extremely relatable to anyone with siblings.

We stand in the rain in a long line

waiting at Ford Highland Park. For work.

You know what work is—if you’re

old enough to read this you know what

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To My Brother

by Lorna Dee Cervantes

‘To My Brother’ by Lorna Dee Cervantes captures the intense bittersweetness of remembering a childhood checkered by both strife and happiness.

Much of what the speaker says of their brother is contained in the poem's subtext. Their memories imply that through everything their sibling was right there with them. Insinuating their close bond and reliance on one another.

and for the lumpen bourgeoisie

We were so poor.

The air was a quiver

of thoughts we drew from

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Brothers

by Andrew Forster

‘Brothers’ weaves a tale of siblinghood, capturing the innocence of youth alongside the silent growth of emotional distance.

#10

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Doing it Wrong

by Carol Parsons

‘Doing it Wrong’ by Carol Parsons describes the relationship between a brother and sister and the building frustrations between the two.

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Farewell to Barn and Stack and Tree

by A. E. Housman

‘Farewell to Barn and Stack and Tree’ by A. E. Housman describes a traumatizing story of two brothers and how one of them accidentally met his end in a wheat field at the hand of the other.

Farewell to barn and stack and tree,

Farewell to Severn shore.

Terence, look your last at me,

For I come home no more.

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I have a Bird in spring

by Emily Dickinson

‘I have a Bird in spring’ by Emily Dickinson is dedicated to a close friendship poet was concerned about losing. It uses an extended metaphor created through zoomorphism.

I have a Bird in spring

Which for myself doth sing—

The spring decoys.

And as the summer nears—

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Supple Cord

by Naomi Shihab Nye

‘Supple Cord’ by Naomi Shihab Nye uses remarkably simple terms to express a similarly simple link between two siblings: a “cord.”

My brother, in his small white bed,

held one end.

I tugged the other

to signal I was still awake.

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13 Must-Read Poems about Brothers

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13 Must-Read Poems about Brothers

by John Keats

by Philip Levine

by Gregory Orr

by Maya Angelou

by Alexander Anderson

by Lee Gurga

by Philip Levine

by Lorna Dee Cervantes

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