For Milliy -C



How do you speak of seventy-seven years
knowing you are part of an indelible duo?
Another half of your whole..a twin
]now gone

A mother of mothers
and of the motherless,,
She the one who tended
our mother
even tho there was an edge-
but I could not and
mother would not...
A woman of wonder,
red cheeked brawn
when confronting her foe-

Milly, you were protector and nemesis of
the "unexpected" half..me.
Your heart touch
felt by all-felt now
in this world
where you leave your empty space..

Your love of beauty
turquoise, chartreuse, coral red..
Your need for love
outmatched by the love you gave
 instead
Your hugs worth more
than a trip to the candy store
when we raided Dad's penny cartons;
and I knew, you were the leader-

and we took the strap

but years ever after
whenever reunited
our love always bloomed strong
telling each other hooded thoughts
and now, until we meet again
your applause lost.

We bordered each other's life
parallel,, but individual
Apart but never parted
though our paths diverged
hearts ever open
finding similar names and verbs
same choice of colors
same kinds of friends
same kinds of men 
of tastes..

And though I was there at the end
I missed you
before your words could mend-
dried on your dry lips,
when you were already wary and
aloof, for all they did to you-
and any times we might have 
commiserated, used up-
Yet, you trumpeted your final decree
to all at hand"
NO
no more,
for sure
so they would know
the time at hand
the bridge in mind
wehre you could feel,
as could I,
our older sister awaiting...

I missed some time and now
a pulled tooth ache-
We knew each other by the root
dear sister
yet knew little of each in adult time of 
bulk truth
your life and mine
diverged yet now felt
absolved
animated, obscured..
|
Whi was smarter
Who the Prettier
Wh the most caring
Who the most sharing
No compare
No compare.
Only that which we each did
is what we wear and
we don't dress alike 
not for a long, long time
any more..

The Hansel and Gretel days
out of the blue--
Rachmaninoff conceros
and egg foo too..

Our love lost
with others in the sway
to billow again some windy day--
sister dear
Now I am alone
and your voice I lost
Our family crest
merely a drone
as I the black sheep
left all alone

so til then, 
I will singly have to care
for when all is bright and new
and I know
I will be missing you
and wondering if
your colour has turned violet
 from blue
\

phoebe


 +`


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