Shout out to Sisters!!!!

I believe that today in the USA, it’s National Sister Day!!  A day worth celebrating.  I love being a sister.  It’s so important to me that I’m always there to support my brother and sister.  I don’t want to focus on what a great sister I am but send some love my sister’s way!!

I am really blessed to have a sister.  My sister is super talented, intelligent and supportive.  I wrote a poem for her called ‘Song Bird.’  My sister loves music – playing, performing, djing, vlogging – she brings songs and music to life so I thought it was a fitting title.  I wrote this poem in 2012, which was a difficult year for me.  In fact, the 4 years prior had been fairly rough for me.  When you spiral downhill with your emotions and mental health, it’s tough for you but it’s also challenging for your family and people closest to you.  At the time of writing, I was reflecting on how my sister showed me love through my dark days and made me feel special and loved.

 

Song Bird

For my Sister.

 

She was my first precious gift

So small and special

When she stirred

Life came into focus

Much brighter, much sharper

Exhibiting her best qualities

As the small wonder adorned her features

With her unrivaled beauty.

 

She was full of contagious joy

So innocent and giving

With wide-eyed enthusiasm

She whizzed to and fro

Taking delight in small and grand things

She twirled in colour leaving imprints with every step

She sang into void, bleak vacuums

Reviving and animating the breathless.

 

I took care of her

I tickled her belly

And poured all my love into her

As she grew she amassed a following

Attracting them with her boldness, charm and charisma

She became a natural leader

And a target to some

But cutting attitudes would not ground her.

 

I knew I couldn’t keep her

Enclosed behind drapes

Hidden behind doors

She had grown too big to contain

With a heavy heart I set her free

Wishing her luck and success on her adventures

She soared high, brightening the sky

With her light, colour and songs.

 

But she returned

With laughter and thrills

Dancing about me

Filling me in on what she found and saw

And off she would twirl – back and forth

Often taking me with her

Leading me across thresholds

I never dared to cross

 

She presented me to the world

As someone important and special

Together we danced in excess

Blazing through life

Inviting mischief and frolics

To feast with us

As we carved a flamboyant image

Creating memories

 

Until one day she returned and found I was not myself

But sad, tearful and insular

Severed from reality

Removed from the facade of peace and harmony

Formed in my youth

Defeated by the strains of life

Lost, low and distant

A shell of my former self

 

At first she watched and waited

As hot tears scorched a once golden glow

Until I spat venom and hurled abuse

Regurgitating the hurts, pain and grief

I could no longer nestle on

And as I withdrew

Certain that I damaged our bond

The charm offensive began

 

A recipient of smiles, winks, kisses

Aroused by a touch, a squeeze, a cuddle

Nourished by favour and love

Protected within her wings

Presented with a bed to rest

Nursed to vitality

Lavished with treats, gifts and surprises

Emerging with a new-born zest for life

 

Standing renewed yet bruised

She strokes my hair

Soothing my distress

She paints my lips

Bidding me to command

The attention and position I merit

She gives me her jumper riddled with holes

And beams whilst I dubious of underwear on show.