Sister, removed

I wish I had known you better.  
I wish I could say I tried.  
But I – buried under small bodies  
 and schedules and needs,  
  with just enough distance between us to be  
   inconvenient –  
And you – for so long obscured from my view,  
  with my lifelong tormentor between us --  
I just thought we’d have more time.  
 
Eclipsed by his tortured shadow  
  of bluster and opinions and judgement,  
she tossed out colourful sparkles  
  of beauty and care into our family,  
touching us all with a thoughtfulness  
  much deeper than we ever returned.  
As final darkness approached  
     --far too early--  
she stepped out into her convictions,  
    (his cynicism be damned)  
blazing diamond-ring bright,  
  steadily shining compassion;  
a sudden sunrise of faith  
 surrendering to the wholeness of peace,  
  before sinking below life’s horizon.  
 
Two years have passed  
 since you left us,  
  and it’s the third time we’ve marked your birthday  
   without you.  
How perfectly fitting that the sun and moon  
 danced your beautiful story  
  on that day.  
 
 
 
.