Under 25 Poetry Africa –

"My Brother's Anguish" by Christian Emecheta

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January 15th, 2026

Under 25 Poetry Africa Contest #1 – First Place

My Brother's Anguish

by Christian Emecheta

He had eyes like dark pools of water, reflecting a lifetime
of struggle. Stamped with the seal of responsibility, 
shouldered from an early age. In their depths, I see 
the boy who once was – unflustered, laughing, unburdened by expectations,
dreams still whole, before society demanded he become 
the man our mother never imagined. Now, those same eyes hold 
a quiet resignation, a silent plea for love, for acceptance 
from scoffers and mockers, a break from the self he had to become
– not the son mama breastfed or hoped to revel in, but the one who remains 
with a guarded hope, a fragile man longing to be seen, to be heard, 
beyond the labels and facades. Those eyes are windows to a soul 
that yearns to smile, to live authentically, despite the personal cost.
Sorry brother, I wish I could stomach this burden for you, spare you the pain 
of constantly falling short, but all I can offer is a solemn promise – 
to always see you, beyond the expectations of people who don't see you.

About the Poet
Christian Emecheta resides in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Read the poet's biography and Under 25 Poetry publications on Christian Emecheta's Artist Page.

Under 25 Poetry Collection
This poem is also featured in Under 25 Poetry Collection #1, published in the Under 25 Poetry Library.

Keywords: brothers, family, struggles, expectations, responsibilities, masculinity

Previously published in Under 25 Poetry Africa:
I Grow Mushrooms
by Nerine Richter

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