To My Sister Little Nell

A small whine in my ear.
“Let me see. What have we here?”
A new little monster with a pinched red face;
Whose caterwauls usurp my place?

“I wish. I wish.” I’d opened wide,
My fledgling arms, let go my pride.

My favorite dresses, my new toy,
My Daddies lap, my mother’s joy;
Curly blonde bundle so unlike me;
Everything mine was given to she.

“Sweet little villain or Little Nell?”
“Who was the monster? Only God can tell."                
So long, it took for love to grow,
Between the monsters two egos.

“I wish. I wish.” I’d opened wide,
My fledgling arms, let go my pride.

So long, you snuggled at my side,
Looked up to me let meanness slide.
So long, we suffered, women we;
In a masculine shadow, a manly lea.

Monsters two, linked arms and hands,
Against the villainous male; we’d stand.
Against the NEW pinched-faced wail,
The long awaited hierarchical male.

“I wish. I wish.” I’d opened wide,
My fledgling arms, let go my pride.

He took the toys, the time, the rides.
He took our parents from our side.
And yet, as time and tide did pass;
We three did come to see, at last.

To wish, to wish and open wide;
To let go the anger, let go the pride.

To know each monster has it day,
And every child a price to pay.
And so, each parent’s task is vast;
To create a family that will last.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Mason Avatar
August 4, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Wonderful write here, Deborah and congratulations on your win in Nathan's contest!
Strand Avatar
August 4, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Congrats on your success in Nathan's contest Debbie.rgds Brian
Johnson Avatar
August 4, 2009 at 8:07 AM
Copngrtatulations on your win. Joyce
Richards Avatar
August 4, 2009 at 6:45 AM
What an excellent lesson to parents, and truth-filled view of the older child's feelings in this wonderful poem! Congratulations on this winning poem in Nathan's contest!! ~ Carrie
Brown Avatar
August 4, 2009 at 3:22 AM
Congratulations for your win in Nathan's contest Deborah . Love, Carol
Leccese Avatar
August 4, 2009 at 2:24 AM
Congratulations on 10th place in my contest! Nate.
Guzzi Avatar
July 4, 2009 at 5:47 AM
Yes, please everyone...make up to your family...let your actions show who you really are....then you at least will know you've done all you can....what they do or don't do is between them & higher power. Light & Love
Dvorkis Avatar
July 3, 2009 at 9:01 PM
oooo this one hits a nerve. I'm getting married in December and until a few months ago I planned on not inviting my brother, 3 years older than me, the one who got jealous of me and never grew out of it, never let go of his pride, to the bitter end. now we both hate each other. I haven't spoken to my sister in about a year now. I can't blame my parents though, I can't blame anyone. If I do then I'm secretly blaming myself.
Devonshire Avatar
July 3, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Your love for your sister shines in this write, Deborah. How lucky she is to have someone who shares such memories. Love, Carolyn
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