Am I My Brother's Keeper? | Teen Ink
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Am I My Brother's Keeper? MAG

By Anonymous

Who is my brother?
Another offspring of my mother?
Or is he the guy on the street corner
begging for money?
Is my sister the girl selling her body
to feed the mouths of her hungry kids?
Was it my friend who got drunk
and died from hitting a tree?
Am I my brother’s keeper?
Should I tell the person next to me
where that road will lead them?
Should I support a hungry
child in Africa whose eyes
well up in tears every day?
Tell me who is my brother.
Who is my sister.
Tell me their story.
Tell me their problem and ask
Are you your brother’s keeper?

© Anonymous

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This article has 64 comments.

no_name_ said...
on Apr. 13 2011 at 12:38 pm
that was the best poem i've read in years....keep writing
FelisBlackStick said...
on Apr. 13 2011 at 12:38 pm
This poem was truly amazing and made me think.
sa'mar johnson said...
on Apr. 13 2011 at 12:37 pm
i honestly and truthfully like this poem. it has a relation to life of some and a connection to others as well ... Two thumbs up !!
bianca M said...
on Apr. 13 2011 at 12:37 pm
omg this is a very good poem its very eye opening!!
emma0314 BRONZE said...
on Mar. 21 2011 at 4:34 pm
emma0314 BRONZE, Arlington, Virginia
4 articles 0 photos 9 comments

Favorite Quote:
"You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star." Friedrich Nietzsche

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this took my breath away! amazing poem and unique idea. you handled it with grace!
HaleyDRog. GOLD said...
on Mar. 18 2011 at 5:08 pm
HaleyDRog. GOLD, Easley, South Carolina
11 articles 14 photos 291 comments

Favorite Quote:
In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on. -Robert Frost

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This poem is incredible. I love the meaning behind the words! You are a talented writer! Keep it up!
dolphin13 BRONZE said...
on Mar. 15 2011 at 7:41 pm
dolphin13 BRONZE, North St. Paul, Minnesota
1 article 0 photos 125 comments
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I love that song! I also really love this poem. It is very well written and something that we should all think about. Keep writing!
GzusFreak10 GOLD said...
on Feb. 21 2011 at 7:41 pm
GzusFreak10 GOLD, Staten Island, New York
17 articles 0 photos 102 comments
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Wow, this is amazing! I love the whole thing. It's an excellent thought-provoker. Keep it up!!!!!
EmilyMichelle PLATINUM said...
on Feb. 21 2011 at 9:49 am
EmilyMichelle PLATINUM, Manassas, Virginia
33 articles 4 photos 90 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Our truest responsibility to the irrationality of the world is to paint or sing or write, for only in such response do we find the truth.&quot;<br /> - Madeleine L&#039;Engle

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Wow! This was amazing! It reminded me of a song by Matt Maher called Hold Us Together...the chorus goes "Love will hold us together, make us a shelter to weather the storm. And I'll be my brother's keeper, so the whole world will know that you're not alone." Listen to it, it's great! Keep on writing, this is so inspiring!
K.a.t.h.l.e.e.n. SILVER said...
on Feb. 21 2011 at 8:32 am
K.a.t.h.l.e.e.n. SILVER, Plymouth, Massachusetts
6 articles 0 photos 58 comments

Favorite Quote:
See everything, Overlook a lot, Correct a little.

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Wow! This is incredible! You have so much talent! I love your reference to the Bible story of Cain and Abel because I think it remains a current and debated issue of who and what we are responsible for.

Great Job with this piece, 5 stars, keep writing!

theMidnightSonnet BRONZE said...
on Jan. 17 2011 at 3:10 pm
theMidnightSonnet BRONZE, Colton, California
4 articles 2 photos 15 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;How happy is the blameless vestal&#039;s lot<br /> The world forgetting by the world forgot<br /> Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind<br /> Each pray&#039;r accepted, and each wish resign&#039;d&quot;

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This, is just astonishing. I didn't expect it to be this stunning. Awesomely done.
asofnow GOLD said...
on Jan. 8 2011 at 7:22 pm
asofnow GOLD, Troy, Michigan
18 articles 0 photos 208 comments

Favorite Quote:
Nothing gold can stay ~ Robert Frost

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shouldnt this b in the poem section??

... ignore me

 

aspiringauthor_ BRONZE said...
on Jan. 8 2011 at 2:24 pm
aspiringauthor_ BRONZE, Fairfield, Connecticut
1 article 0 photos 324 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.&quot; - MLK Jr.

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This was the best poem I have heard in a long time. :) Keep on writing! 
red-head BRONZE said...
on Nov. 3 2010 at 1:53 pm
red-head BRONZE, Belmont, New York
1 article 0 photos 25 comments
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oh my god!! i cant belive it . just. good! so good.
TheMusicalFaery said...
on Oct. 27 2010 at 3:12 pm
Fabulous! Nicely done- keep up the good work!
natashajeanne1021 GOLD said...
on Sep. 20 2010 at 10:15 pm
natashajeanne1021 GOLD, Madelia, Minnesota
13 articles 1 photo 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
Time is an important thing but it is also the cause of a lot of pain;Some wish for it to go faster while others wish for it to go faster.Then there are those that wish it could just end. So enjoy the time in life you are given and don&#039;t worry so much.

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love this!!
deus-ex-machina14 BRONZE said...
on Sep. 20 2010 at 5:44 pm
deus-ex-machina14 BRONZE, Stewartsville, New Jersey
1 article 0 photos 439 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;There are two main tragedies in life. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.&quot; -Oscar Wilde

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Very nicely written!!
Phantom_Girl GOLD said...
on Aug. 29 2010 at 10:46 am
Phantom_Girl GOLD, Ft. Carson, Colorado
14 articles 0 photos 279 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;If it comes out of the lion&#039;s mouth...it will be on the test.&quot;<br /> -Mr. Bala

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Very nice. I like the Bible reference. Very few people understand what the meaning of that passage was supposed to be, but you have grasped it in a very poetic sense.
Someone_Who_Is_Loved GOLD said...
on Aug. 7 2010 at 2:51 pm
Someone_Who_Is_Loved GOLD, Mount Forest, Other
10 articles 0 photos 82 comments

Favorite Quote:
This quote is one I made up.....<br /> &quot;You can&#039;t climb a mountian without a harness.&quot; It means that you can&#039;t go where you want to get in life without the help of your friends or family.

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I love this!!!!!! OMG, totally inspiring!!!!
CoffeeShopChick BRONZE said...
on Jul. 16 2010 at 4:34 pm
CoffeeShopChick BRONZE, Rawr, New Jersey
1 article 0 photos 9 comments
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So good! i Loved it, it was really eye opening, I hope you keep writing