Little Sister (for Jude)
I remember
when you were two.
Me, at seven,
with things to do.
As I skipped out,
you'd hold your arms,
beseeching me
with outstretched palms
And all the while
I'm torn in two
The guilty act
Of leaving you
Sweet rompers white,
Wet toothy smile
I'd oft relent
And stay awhile
Soft peach kissed cheeks
With blue eyes wide
That melt my heart;
a' soft aside
You're thirty eight
I'm forty three.
You tell me that
you envy me
Ahead of you,
Or so it seems,
in years, careers,
but not in dreams.
I speak my mind
No prisoners take
Few fair friends my
acquaintance make.
From where I stand
It's plain to see
your sweetness sets
apart from me.
When my heart
Is low and weak
It's always you.
Your sense I seek
History changes
nought you know.
as I still find
it hard to go.
Exchange of glance,
From one to t'other
Marks you, as
The better mother.
Your nature basks
in sweeter climes
than I aspire
to reach for mine.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Sue, this is a beautiful tribute for your sweet sister Jude. You have five years between you and I have four between my sister. You've melted my heart with delightful images of her: 'rompers white, wet toothy smile, soft each kissed cheeks with blue eyes wide. The rhyme and rhythm romps along so well too! 10 love Karin