A Lonely Child

sitting at the grown ups table
just old enough to pass

across from you
giggling as we brushed feet
under the table

exchanging funny faces
or mouthing nonsense words
you could always make me laugh

now smiling hurts
struggling to laugh
as i stare at your empty seat

the space you used to take up
now haunts me

your voice breaks my heart
through the computer screen

knowing my help was minimal
my words unkind
now they are limited
to just one phone call

the advice never given
voice never soothing
a sister never meaning
the love she felt inside

a girl running up the stairs
locking her door
not realizing
what she was leaving behind