Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Sisters, 1976


This is a picture of us—
Nine and three before
Death knocked
On our door and took away
The one focused on us.

This is us bonding in love. And comfort.
Understanding.
Tolerance.
And Patience.
Before we knew we’d need it.

This is life before we were
Defined by careers,
Computer identities,
Love—and love lost.

This is where we belong—
side by side.
Playful—
On a new sled in the middle of winter.

This is a picture of us.
Together.
In the harshest of elements—
Smiling.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

This was written in class yesterday as a response to a photograph assignment I led students through. My photo is obviously a picture of my sister and I in the middle of winter in mittens and hats, sitting on new sled buried in snow, smiling and proudly displaying our snowballs. A blonde cocker spaniel, I can't remember his name, sits between us trying to lick Caron's face. Someday I'll get around to scanning the pic to post. :)

Janet Morrison-Lane said...

Great poem! Love reading your writing!

Liz Salchow said...

What a great poem! You are such a great writer. Hope your year is off to a good start. Can't wait to see you soon!