Unintentional Poet

If you follow my blog, you will know that we lost my sister seventeen months ago, when my nephew was just seven months old.  Today, he turns two and is a whirlwind of fun and love.  He has forced us all to keep going through some really tough times, as, too, has his big sister.  My sister would be so proud of them both.  I wanted to write a poem to celebrate him - and her continued presence in his life. Today, You Are Two Today, you are two.    I have watched you grow,    As babies do,  And marvelled,   At your perfect, quizzical face,  At your soft cheeks,  Dimpling,   As you smile   And run away,    Whenever I stoop To ask you For a hug. Every time, I catch you and you giggle. You place your head, On my shoulder, For the briefest of moments; I breathe you in - A privilege, a delight. In an instant, You are off again, Laughing and whirling; You sho...

Last year, she was still here – But the end had begun. Through March and April, We were numb with disbelief, Denial, fear – But clinging, always, to hope. Through May and June, We rode the ups and downs – Hospital trips, Macmillan visits, Temperature spikes – Good days and bad. Talk of a memory box Was too much to bear, For she did not want To imagine herself As a memory. We didn’t either. July and August Tricked us into thinking Time was on our side – Barbecues, days out, Impromptu coffees, the Race for Life – Hopes raised, Scan results good. But oh! September – How you sprung from nowhere, Punched us hard in the gut And stole that illusion from us! Oh, the speed, the downward spiral, The force with which You slammed us against the wall, Day after day, As you hurtled us closer To what was becoming Inevitable, Inescapable. And now, you’re here again, Promising to most, Open fires, warm jumpers, ...