Dear Sis

Day 2: write a platonic love poem, a poem not about a romantic partner, but some other kind of love – your love for your sister, or a friend, or even your love for a really good Chicago deep dish pizza. The poem should be written directly to the object of your affections (like a letter is written to “you”), and should describe at least three memories of you engaging with that person/thing.

Dear Sis,

Do you share the same gold-tinted memories

Of summers on the farm, spent idling away the hours

In daring explorations of the yard and barns?

Do you remember that time, we ran past the milking cows,

Avoiding their black-white bulk and steamy damp breath,

To climb through sweet-scented bales of hay

To reach the litter of mewling kittens

Hidden high away from prying eyes and the inevitable sack?

So soft and warm; the most gorgeous secret we ever shared.

I remember those Christmasses in your house by the sea, 

Where you hosted the most wonderful parties for all the family,  

Parents, husbands, aunts and uncle; our kids became a litter,

A tight knit group of theatricals, dressing up and rehearsing,

Until the grand performance on Boxing Day. Throughout that week

You smiled, made sure we had everything we needed, 

Whilst unbeknown to us all, you were breaking apart inside;

I'm so ashamed my own problems stopped me noticing,

Prevented the comforting relief of shared confidences.

Somehow now we're the grandparents, 

Once again with more time to give each other.

It's so good to speak to you, to share our distant lives,

So affirming to see you face to face, two weeks each year, 

Me in your world, you in mine. 

I remember your face at your last special birthday, 

Surrounded by those you hold most dear,

Mortified at being the centre of attention, 

Oblivious to the reality of being at the centre of our world. 

© Copyright 2024. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved