Paula can't hurt me or dim the profound fire within.
She started a fight with me that she just cannot win.
Our benevolent ancestors are now punishing her sins.
Note: This poem is about a 71y/o aunt of mine who did not and does not know how to speak to children calmly or respectfully. I spent my childhood through my late 20s angry and afraid because of her unseen mental violence and it took me many long years to heal from her venomous ways. I am still healing. Still, she has nonetheless taught me via example precisely the type of elder I hope to never become.
I was sitting on the corner, stoned
When out of the blue, my dead aunt phoned
How could this be, she rests in peace
Right beside my loving niece
I answered the phone, and my auntie said
"I know you think that I am dead"
"I'm alive"- my auntie moaned
Or- could it be that you're just- "Stoned"
I rolled over and went back to sleep,
counting red and yellow sheep.
I heard auntie say, "the sheep are real cheap."
Then I rode off in an old broken down jeep.
Maybe I needed to stop getting in the stoned zone?
Now the sheep farm I do own.
My loving niece Joan said, "be carful Charles."
I did not listen, so I am now all alone.
Eight years ago, the world gained a light,
With blonde hair shining and eyes ocean-blue,
A girl who is bubbly, courageous, and bright,
There's truly nobody quite like you.
You're smart and you're sassy, a whirlwind of fun,
Dancing to K-pop with rhythm and grace,
With the heart of a Hunter, the battle is won,
With a smile that can light up the loneliest place.
You've got Stitch for the mischief and Angel for love,
And Labubus tucked in your arms for a squeeze,
A mix of the sunshine and stars from above,
Moving through life with such laughter and ease.
So stay sweet and carefree, keep dreaming so big,
The world is your stage, and you're the star of the show.
From every small hop to each K-pop jig,
We're so proud to watch you continue to grow.
Happy 8th Birthday!
Jalyn
Eighteen years ago, a Halloween 'morn
With eyes of baby blue, Iyla was born
She grew, we knew, she came from the best stock
Perfect pedigree, Neikirk and Peacock
Her nature's in Nature, Earth and water
She loves travel and all that it's taught her
San Miguel stay nine months she did venture
Wait what!?!?! A Tanzanian adventure
Now high school grad, college credit galore
Time to decide what is next and in store
True team player saving funds for first year
Fashion, business...or both? Find her career
Sweet Iyla! The world is out there for you!!
SO proud! 'Tis the fam loves you through and through
because of loosing you My heart is broken my husband, our kids tears are falling continuely because of not seeing you.it was not my plan to lose you my love, my lost is great and pain so deep,it cuts my soul into million pieces knowing i will not be in your arms again. How do I explain to our children that Dad is gone to rest and soon we will see him again when the master opens deaths doors you smile and burning eyes so captivating and inviting, full of love for me and our precious kids. Soon we will be reunited to walk with carefree strides embracing our adventures. By my lover partner and husbad soon we will meet again but till then i will miss you and hold onto our memories and joy's of Sunshine my lover friend joy and pain I need your embrace and smile to keep me strong but my only consolation is our kids and memories of yesterday with you and me walking full of courageous strides clutching our bundles of joy Tailor and Tarentum. missing you my everything till we meet again good by for now good buy
To her mother’s spanks,
let her cry on your tender shoulder,
oh, my toy Teddy.
Through all her sleepless nights,
lull her to deep sleep;
by her side remain steady.
When the weather burns hot,
soak her sweat away.
When cold wind whispers,
let your warmth be ever ready.
Though you are a toy,
be more than that to her.
If you had a tummy,
let her feed you, as if you live.
Though she dislikes your silver shade,
in the darkest nights,
let your brightness calm her fears.
Throughout her childhood,
even for a breath—never leave.
Remain her best friend;
though wordless, speak to her heart,
for only in your comfort she believes.
Such were the tender words of my aunt’s sermon
to my beautiful Eliza,
for she fulfilled each promise
made to Aunty Jane,
showering me with nothing but relief.
Joana, here I hand over to you Eliza,
from your grand aunt to you, my niece.
As she guided my childhood,
let her guide yours too.
Keep her clean, take good care of her.
As I hand her over to you,
one day hand her to your niece too—
a bond of comfort
that will outlive just us two.
Guest at sunday tea party
niece serves invisible tea in tiny cups
offering easy bake oven treats
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: 2nd place 2025
Fingers
Long, slender
Tapping, painting, holding
Creating tiny canvases for my niece
Pinking, twinkling, glittering
Tiny, cherished
Nails
At Christmas, by the fire's gentle glow,
The secrets shared, a whispered, silent flow.
My nephews, bright, with eyes so full of glee,
And my sweet niece, a sight for all to see.
The firelight dances on their youthful faces,
As sticky marshmallows leave their sticky traces.
The scent of chocolate, warm and sweet and deep,
A tapestry of memories to keep.
We toast our smores, a sticky, sweet delight,
As secrets bloom in the warm, festive light.
Of wishes whispered to the falling snow,
And dreams that only Christmas can bestow.
The world outside is sleeping, hushed and white,
But here, within, the fire burns so bright.
And in this haven, safe and warm and low,
The seeds of future secrets start to grow.
So let the embers flicker, red and gold,
As tales of wonder, young and new, unfold.
For in this moment, simple, pure, and true,
A family's bond is born anew.
A whirlwind of chaos, a joyful loud-sound,
Three wild spirits I love, on adventurous ground.
Fourteen, then twelve, and the youngest, a seven,
Bringing antics and charm, a small piece of heaven.
They build with their LEGOs, grand dreams in the air,
Fortresses, spaceships, beyond all compare.
Then out to the yard, where their sports battles rage,
I'm there in the stands, for each thrilling new stage.
My cheers ring out loudly, my voice strong and clear.
A beacon of love, dispelling all fear.
In the pool we all splash, on a hot summer day,
I'm caught in their currents of boisterous play.
The fighting erupts, a familiar refrain,
And I'll admit, sometimes, it drives me insane.
But a part of me grins, though I might roll my eyes,
Their bold, mouthy spirit, a delightful surprise.
For though they are noisy, and mischievous too,
And every day brings something wonderfully new,
I'm there for their plays, and their triumphs, and strife,
My nephews, my niece, the true joy of my life.
Our Effervescence
A
child
with eyes
of summer
sky, and hair of
a strawberry blond,
a tiny, vibrant sunbeam on the bed,
a quiet, bubbling joy that fills the whole room,
our hearts are full as we watch you simply exist,
a beautiful and perfect form of such pure delight.
Everything was upside, down and inside out
Snoopy neighbor heard a scream, and then a shout
Did you investigate? Asked the police.
Of course not, lied their lying niece.
She had sneaked up to their window and seen the whole thing.
But she wanted to save this info to go live on TV with Larry King
I waited for the midnight train
on the platform in the rain.
It was windy, it was bitter cold
and i was feeling bit frail and old.
Patiently i awaited the arrival of my niece
who was coming home from Greece.
I had time to wander down memory lane
where images flashed wearily in my brain:
she was days old when I held her in my arms
she's become a young lady with uncanny charms
AP: 3rd place 2025
Water leaking from my eye
The time has come to say goodbye
Thirty-five years you smiled so bright
God called you home for eternal life
Compassion and the love that you share
Beyond what most could begin to compare
You left behind family and friends
But your memory is one to never end
My niece, oh sweet angel, a gift from above,
God graced us with you, a treasure we love.
With laughter like sunlight and eyes filled with dreams,
You dance through our lives like soft, silver beams.
How I wish I could hold you, so gentle, so small,
To cradle your spirit, to shelter it all.
In the warmth of my arms, where love freely flows,
I’d lay you upon my heart, where the purest joy grows.
Every giggle you share, every smile that you beam,
Brings light to the shadows, ignites every dream.
Your presence is a melody, so tender, so true,
A symphony whispered in the soft morning dew.
As you journey through life, with wonder in tow,
Know you’re wrapped in my wishes, wherever you go.
For you’re more than a niece, you’re a star shining bright,
An angel sent down, with a spirit of light.
So, keep dreaming, sweet girl, let your heart lead the way,
For you are our miracle, our hope for each day.
And though moments may pass, and the years may unfurl,
You’ll forever be cherished, my beautiful girl.
To Niece S
2014
Niece Categories
Definition | What is Niece in Poetry?
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.
Related Poetry Forms
aunt, brother, brother in law, cousin, daughter, father, father in law, grandmother, grandparents, great grandparents, in laws, mother, mother in law, nephew, sibling, sister, sister in law, stepbrother, stepparent, stepsister, uncle, wife,