Little Sister

It was the day before school.

I'd just come home.

Dad was talking on the phone with mom.

Dad said mom had to stay in the hospital.

I was worried.

Dad gave me the phone.

I heard mom's voice.

It's a girl, she said.

That was happy news.

I begin to cry.

One more sibling to bug.

But now was a worry.

I might lose mom if anything goes wrong.

Everything will be okay, dad says,

After I hang up the phone.

Don't cry, he says.

All will be fine.

Next day at school.

Can't concentrate on my work.

Questions are filling my mind

About the little one coming home soon.

How will you look?

Will you have long hair?

Will you be pink or white?

Will the diaper be big on you?

Teacher calls my attention.

Because I'm dazing off.

I look at the clock.

Time, please go faster.

I ran to get home from school.

Just to see you.

Backpack breaks.

I don't care.

Car's about to hit me. 

I fall to the other side of the street

Just to see you.

Dad opened the door.

And you lay on the couch.

I'm huffing and puffing.

I don't say hi to anyone.

I just want to say hi to you.

Mom was changing your diapers.

I could see you from the door.

Fussing and waving your little arms around.

Dropped my backpack,

And ran to you.

I smiled and you caught my eye.

Your pretty little eyes and tight grip on my pinky.

Growing up was tough for you.

I know it still is.

I taught you enough for you to defend yourself.

Even now, for a 4 year old,

You've learned a lot.

You learned to fight back.

And to fall in love at first sight.

But don't keep doing that.

You've learned how to give kisses.

How to hug and say "I love you".

It seems you learned a lot from all of us.

How to curse and make funny faces.

How to have a sense of humor.

There's just one thing you need to know from me.

I love you, Little Sister.