Brother Poem

Brother to Brother, He tells it like it is as his big brother goes off to basic training.

Featured Shared Story

Hi, my brother is about to be 18 and he really wants to go to the Navy instead of college. He is also always there for me when my parents work and takes good care of us. There are times when...

Read complete story

Share your story! (34)

My Big Brother Off To The Army

Published by Family Friend Poems February 2006 with permission of the Author.

You've always been here for me,
But now you are about to leave.
I know we fuss and fight,
But I love you with all my might.

You are my big brother,
And there is no other.
No one can take your place,
And when you leave, there will be this big empty space.

We've never been really close,
But at least you have not always lived across the coast.
Because some big brothers do,
I'm really grateful for the 15 years I've lived with you.

I remember when I was small,
And I would always fall.
You were always there for me,
And I know you always will be.

You told me not to cry,
That it would be ok.
Even if I thought you lied,
It was like my big brother saved the day.

You've made me laugh, you've made me cry,
You've even helped me hide some lies.
I love you is something I don't tell you enough,
But I want you to know
When you leave it will be really tough.

I don't know how my life will be,
Without you here beside me.
You've lived with me for 15 years,
But now we're shedding our good-bye tears.

I know you have to move out,
And start a life of your own.
But promise me without a doubt,
You will never forget us back home.

Dedicated to my big brother Danny Brewer Jr. recently sent off for basic training for the army.

Stories 34
Shares 541
Favorited 10
Votes 830
Rating 4.48

Read More Brother Poems

Has this poem touched you? Share your story!

by TIffanie Allard
1 year ago

My older brother left to go to the air force to be a mechanic, and I haven't seen him for over 4 years. He was first stationed in Germany for about 2 years, and he hasn't been back. On December 29, 2022, he went to Italy, and I haven't heard from him since. I have tried everything to get a hold of him, but there's been no answer. This poem reminds me of the time he made me laugh and helped me through my grandma's death. I really miss him.

by Sidney Davis
3 days ago

i know what you mean my big sister is going to the army and I am scared she will not come back

by Jade Glenn
5 years ago

My brother has been in the army for over a year now. He went to the Middle East last July. We couldn't talk to him for the longest time, and it killed me. He is my best friend, and not having him by my side every day is honestly depressing. Our bedrooms are right next to each other, and whenever I hear his door open, I instantly break down. Whenever I see his name pop up on my phone, I get so worried when we don't hear from him. I am 17 years old and my brother is 19 years old. We are super close. He's the person that I would go to and tell everything to.

by Emmy Becolore
5 years ago

My oldest brother is in the Air Force and was stationed in Arkansas for 6 years. He is now in England. Justin has been there for 4 years, and in 2 months he is leaving for Japan for another 4 years. This poem reminded me of him because I barely get to see him. But this summer we are going to visit him. This is a great poem, and I am very inspired by it.

by Ruby Griffin
6 years ago

I'm 12 and my brother is 22. He joined when I was only 6. People try and help with my depression and anxiety, but when they say they know what I'm going through they really don't. He's missing my birthday because he's going on tour 1 week before Christmas (which he was supposed to be going for 4 months but has now changed to 8). And that's the date of my grandma's death, which is the time when I shut everything out and don't do or talk to anybody.

by Fiona
7 years ago

I was 12 when my big brother left for the army, he'd been everything to me growing up with mum working so much and no dad around. It really was like my world was ending, this poem just brought it all back, exactly how it feels. I'm 29 now and after 17 years it's still so hard when he goes on tour, even though he lives 300 miles away and I don't see him from one year to the next he's still my big brother and I miss him so much! Is especially hard as we lost both our parents last year. I hated the Army for talking my brother away back when I was 12 but now I couldn't be prouder of my big brother the Soldier!!! For Sgt Hart J D, 38 Eng Rgt

by Abigail Nicole Waddell
6 years ago

My name is Abby Waddell and I am 12 years old and my brother left for boot camp today, and to me it feels like the end of the world, but I remember what he said to me this morning. He said one chapter of my life ends and another chapter opens. I miss him already and a lot.

by Alyzza Emerald Cervantes
6 years ago

Hi, my brother is about to be 18 and he really wants to go to the Navy instead of college. He is also always there for me when my parents work and takes good care of us. There are times when we hate each out because we are always picking on each other. But I really care about him because he's my older brother. I'm 11, about to be 12. And I really don't want him to leave, but that's way out of my control. I really look up to him since I don't have a sister to look up to. When he was 13 he would always play with my Barbie’s with me. He slowly grew, slowly spending less time with me and more with my baby brother, but I still love him. He gives me all his old clothes. Right now I'm wearing his old t shirt and shorts. I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm not ready for him to go.

by Thania
8 years ago

This honestly touched me and I'm not one to be emotional. I went through the same exact thing, however he left when I was 14 and he couldn't make it to my 8th grade graduation. He has not visited me for my birthdays but he was here for the summer and winter. I just wanted to say it was a beautiful poem and it will get easier. Don't get hurt if he doesn't talk to you because they will always be busy and as you said they are living their life.

by Shelby Gabriel
8 years ago

My brother left for the marines about a month ago. He is only there for training so he will be there for about 3 more months but I still miss him a lot. To this day I still cry every night wanting him to come home. I know other people have family that will be gone for longer. I'm so sorry for them as I hope other people will feel the same for me when he is gone for longer.

by Eric M Villarreal
6 years ago

My brother is going to Kuwait for 8 months. I'm 20 and he's 27. It's so hard.

by Brianna, New York
9 years ago

My brother just left for basic training. He's going to be gone for 6 months. And I've been trying to write him a letter no words can describe how much I miss him. What should I say? I miss you Scottie??

by Ata
9 years ago

I was in chat with my smallest brother in Iran from here Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. He told me the reason why he could not came and visit me in my short trip to Tehran. Then, I posted this Poem to him and now tears in my eye ...I cry...for my loneliness !

by Esther Acosta, New Jersey
10 years ago

My older brother just left too to basic training today, I'm crying so hard even though it's only going to be four months. It's going to feel like a year to me. I love you Chris be safe and God bless <33

by Emily, England
10 years ago

My brother left when a few years ago to join the army and now I am 12 and it still isn't easy. You're all saying they have left for basic training, my brother is actually IN the British Army. I love him so much but he's gone so much I don't know him any more. When he's away I don't sleep AT ALL because he is the only one in my family that can understand me. I cry whenever someone says he will die and he is in the infantry so he will ALWAYS be on the front line of the war.

by Caitlin, New Hampshire
8 years ago

I understand that you feel basic training, and "IN the army" are different but they are both just as hard. My brother couldn't communicate with us for weeks when he was at boot camp and people go way longer, I get that I do, but please don't make it seem as if your situation is harder than any one else because they are all missed when they are away weather IN the Army or a training.

by Myranda
10 years ago

This story made me cry, I remember everything me and my brother did he just left Thursday Sept. 26,2013 to Afgan.. he will be there for 8 months I miss him every day of my life, I have a 6 month old baby girl he has not seen yet because he's been in the marines and training and it breaks my heart every time I think about him, see it on TV or even read about it.. I love my brother; *I LOVE you Paul<3 be safe out there.

by Eric Lucas, New York
11 years ago

WOW! I love this poem! My brother Dave is officially in the air force and he's now returning for six months. Its also "funny" because I am 15 too.

by Teia Baxter
11 years ago

I am leaving soon for basic training to go to the army. Nice story my brothers always argue with me cause I'm their sister so I'm going to fight for my country woot woot I'm army strong

by Zoie, Flordia
11 years ago

My big brother is leaving in three weeks to the army and I've been crying my eyes out. He has been there for me through thick & thin and I have no idea what to do with my self

by Rae, California
11 years ago

This really made me tear up. My brother left a couple weeks ago to Texas, because he got into drugs. I do not know when he will be back, but it was really tough to see him go. Thank you for this poem, it really helped (:

by Andre, California
11 years ago

My brother left September 3rd to the Marines. Thank you for this poem this is exactly how I feel and I miss his so much. I love my brother so much.

by Prashant Pandey, Allahabad
11 years ago

This is just the same .........missing my bro. He has gone for Air force training. I never care him much when he was with me, but after his absence from home missing him badly .....just love him..... :) MISSING U BHAIA (Prabhat)

by Denver, Colorado
12 years ago

My brother is in Afghanistan ;( I cry every time I think about him. He's in the army I can't know a lot of stuff because it's all top secret. But I just wanna know if he's ok!

by Jessica, Gallatin Tn
12 years ago

My brother is 18 he left for navy basic training and this was exactly our lives together It brought tears to my eyes I'm gonna send this to him just to let him know I love him with all my heart

by Allie, Georgia
12 years ago

I'm only 13 and my big brother who is 18 leaves in 3 days for Army Basic Training for 4 months. This poem made my eyes tear up. I've cried so much because I don't want him to leave. He is like my bestfriend. I pray to God everyday that he will never get hurt. I love you Adam <3

by Brooke, Atlanta
12 years ago

My brother left to he joined the marines and I miss him like crazy but I try not to cry but it seems like I do all the time

by Yessenia, Las Vegas
13 years ago

wow I love this poem, my brother is also in training in San Diego... even though he is in the marines I think everyone can relate to this poem... my brother is everything to me and when he left omg is was painful... I'm just waiting for the day he comes back... to everyone that has a family member serving our country I salute them and I thank them... so thanks to them... much respect yessenia mendoza

by Bri
13 years ago

My brother died in the army last year, and I never told him that I loved him. I will regret that for the rest of my life. This poem made me sob.

by Tia, South Dakota
13 years ago

I'm the youngest in my family, my sister moved out last year and my brother, who I've been closest to my whole life, is going to be leaving for basic training in January. This makes me cry when I read this and think of him leaving. I don't know how my life will be without him here beside me. :/

by Sierra, Virginia
13 years ago

My big brother left on August 3rd for basic training for the Air Force, and this poem is exactly what we did when we were kids, like getting hurt, and he came and helped me up and cleaned my cuts and stuff like that, he was my own little doctor, and every time he came to save me, he saved the day as well.

by Asad, New York
14 years ago

I'm the oldest son in my family and that brought tears to my eyes just thinking of how much my little bro's do love me. great job

by Linda
14 years ago

My brother is leaving for basic training too wow my eye's watered reading this beautiful poem :) God bless you and your brother.

by Sam
15 years ago

My big brother Dean left for basic too. He went for Marines, but the pain is the same.