Just Because

This is incredible. You make the emotions so vivid and emotional. You show the self comparison everyone goes through, but it's different. It's worse, it's your brother. The repetition is incredible, it draws it all together. It makes it real and more structured. This is incredible.

hi there! this is my first time reviewing in years so don't mind if i'm a little rusty.

the repetition in this poem is what really drives the point home, and i also love how you made it the title. it makes me a little sad to know that you had enough "just because" statements to create a poem of this length, but i think this is a topic that a lot of people can relate to. although you never outright state that you hate the comparisons between the two of you, the reader can clearly determine that this is something that has bothered you for a long time, maybe even the span of your whole life.

i also like how you alternated between the comparisons between the two of you and also your own thoughts about your self worth and other things. as a reader, i interpreted that as you still trying to make your voice heard in a piece where it seems like your own head is still making him the center of attention. i could be interpreting that wrong, but to me that drove the point home of this feeling of being overshadowed by him. that even in a moment thats supposed to be about you, a poem thats supposed to be about you, a representation of yourself, that this feeling has been so drilled into your brain that you can't even forget it to focus on yourself for just a few lines.

i love this poem. i have never read anything that focuses on this topic before, and it really did resonate with me. the subtle nods towards the theme stuck out to me a lot. keep writing like this, its impactful!

Hi I love this! You wrote it really well. I love the expression, especially “just because he can breathe, it doesn’t mean my face isn’t turning blue” it surprised me how much I can relate to some of this! Very well done! (Also I’m pan too!!)

Hello!! Welcome to YWS! I love this piece of writing. It's filled with contrasting and alternating ideas, like when you switch from the idea that you are not exactly like he is to the idea that you aren't bad at things your brother is good at. I think it is a good way of reminding people that your own unique self isn't based off of your brother at all-- it's YOUR life, after all! For example, when you write that "Just because he's clever, doesn't mean I'm not", you beautifully paint the picture of a struggle between you and the shadow of comparison that looms over your head. This line really caught my eye because it provides a switch from one stanza to the next.
In your first stanza, you suggest that you are the complete opposite of your brother, but by transitioning to the second stanza with that line, it helps readers to realize that is not the point you are getting at. You are your own person, regardless of your brother's flaws and strengths.

"Just because he’s happy, doesn’t mean I’m blissed. Just because you love him more, doesn’t mean I don’t exist." There's a lot of emotion in thoaw last few lines that really pulls at my heartstrings. It's a shout for help and recognition that is left unsaid in reality. I like the bluntness of the poem; there is no sugarcoating, just your thoughts and feelings. Overall, this is a great poem! I hope you continue to write in the days to come.

Hey! welcome to YWS! firstly, with your first line, "just because I'm his sister, doesn't mean I like him", i love this! I've always found the expectation to like people just because of blood relations, to say the least, stupid. as someone with a brother, and while we aren't twins, he was born basically as soon as possible after me, i can relate to the feeling of being compared in every aspect, and i think you capture these feelings really well! i also like how you bring to subject the fact that often times, people comp siblings, especially twins, as remotely the same person, even though in most cases, that just isn't reality. i also like the mentions of how even though he might excel, doesn't mean your bad at things. this goes back to the comparing between siblings, which is a mistake many parents make with their children. with your last line, "just because you love him more, doesn't mean I don't exist", I like how this brings light to how parents who do this make their kids feel unseen, even if they don't realize.

now, for a bit of constructive criticism. while it adds a notion of being comparative, which does fit, the commas between most sentences don't really make sense, at least reading it over in my mind.

other than that, great job with your work!

This is so good! I'm going to be attempting to review this wonderful piece. Please have grace, I'm horrible at reviewing T-T. Into the review.
This is so sad, I kid you not I was on the verge of tears the second time I read this.

"Just because you love him more, doesn’t mean I don’t exist."

this line is my favorite part. It really ties together the whole poem, and it is the perfect ending line.
This is a sad poem, but it didn't overdo it. It doesn't say 'woe is me', but it makes the reader feel bad for the author. I really enjoyed reading this.
You are so talented, keep up the great work. Mwah Mwah
-STARRYY

Hey Nova, Alwaysea here, I see this is your first work here, so first of all, a hearty welcome to YWS! Wishing you the best for your future writings.

Coming to your poem—it is truly wonderful. In just a few lines, you managed to capture the way the world constantly compares one person with another, especially within families. Parents often, knowingly or unknowingly, compare siblings: “Why can’t you be more like him?”, “Why don’t you help like your sister?”, “Learn from your younger one…”These words may seem casual to them, but as children, they leave a deep impact. I personally related to this, since I was often reminded about what my sister had achieved, and reading your poem instantly brought back those moments.

You beautifully raise an important point—if parents want their kids to behave the same way, then why have more than one child? Every individual, even identical twins, has their own unique personality, and it’s unfair to expect otherwise.

What struck me most were these lines: "Just because you loved him more that doesn’t mean that I don’t exist” and “Just because I’m his sister, that doesn’t mean I’m like him.* These words are powerful because they hold both positive and negative truths. On one hand, they express the pain of being overshadowed, and on the other, they affirm individuality. I was especially reminded of school days, where teachers and classmates would expect you to live up to the reputation of an elder sibling, often doubting your own abilities.

Overall, this poem is heartfelt and thought-provoking. It pulled me back into my childhood memories and made me relive those moments in a flash. Thank you for sharing such a relatable piece, and I hope you keep writing more. If you get a chance, please do check out some of my works as well.

Keep rocking 😎