Sisters

Growing up I was home schooled, a middle child amidst four sisters. This is surprising given my current introverted poetic nature and tendency to relate better to women, but is true nevertheless. More or less everything in and around my life up till i made out of the house has had to do in one way or another with one of my sisters. Oddly enough these concepts rarely consciously work their way into my poetry. One exception to that is this poem, First star from the right. Although the Peter Pan reference is obvious enough it has more meaning than that. It is written more specifically for my second oldest sister, who would be the second from the right if all my siblings and I were lined up from left to right in descending order of age. Actually I think it would work alphabetically too...

Regardless, here it goes.

First star from the right.

Oh shining Star!

You are the most beautiful among us.

Onward so far,

Your actions could not become us.

Display hard work,

Take up the children who are among you.

You never shirk.

Teach them to become you.

Beloved Star!

You are the most honored and most true.

You, without mar,

We’re held back only by you.

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I have often wondered if other large families have this problem, but even if they don't I'm sure everyone has someone in their life like this. That one person who outshines everyone's expectations. Who you love more than life, but makes life so very difficult for you just by existing. Graduating with straight As, married to the perfect guy, always has everything together. How can one feel when the world turns to you after something like that? I love my sister, she is the brightest star among us, but she causes a pretty deep hole for the rest of us to fall in.

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Sufjan Stevens, my single favorite recording artist, has two songs which don't exactly have anything to do with sisters, but have sister in the title. I figured a good way to end this post was with a bit of almost-related beauty. So, I give you Sister Winter. 

 

That is all, have a sullen day.