EVERYTHING A SISTER SHOULD BE

EVERYTHING A SISTER SHOULD BE

by  Kathleen Clark

            Hundred of times I've said goodbye

          as I watched you waving, smiling

          in the early morning sun.

          There was dew on the ground

          the crispness of fall leaves scattered around

          and neighbors just waking. 

          Having spent the weekend

          I packed the car to leave

          and walked down the driveway

                    when a inner voice clearly spoke;

          "this will be the last time you see her"

                    I thought;

          It's only my imagination - how silly!

          We stayed up late that night,

          talked and laughed until our sides ached,

          found quiet companionship while reading and reflecting,

          no strings attached, two sisterly souls perfectly matched.

          While you slept, disturbing thoughts surfaced;

          Mother's wedding rings, your Will

          important papers, phone numbers - odd things

          I wouldn't normally think about.

          These strong urgings, I didn't grasp until later

          when a concerned friend called,

          unable to rouse you by phone.

          Were you sick?  Were you home?

          Later, when someone unlocked the door

          they discovered.  .  .you had been gathered

                    into the arms of angels.  .  .

          Suddenly    

                    unexpectedly

          the winds of death blow without warning

          on cloudy days and sunny mornings.   

                    Uncomprehending,

          overcome with disbelief

          I descended into grief. . .

                    lay sleepless

          staring blankly at the walls,

          rewinding memories

          of our recent time together;

                    the sound of your laughter

          the love in your eyes

                    your sisterly concern

          your quirky sense of humor

                    that lifted my spirits.

          My beloved, irreplaceable sister