‘My Shield, My Sister’

The world outside was cruel, unsafe, and loud,
A persistent shadow knocking at the door,
While sickness wrapped around me like a shroud.

I could not fight the battles anymore,
My strength was gone, my body broken down,
But you stood firm upon the shifting floor.

You took my child and wore a silent crown,
An anchor in the violent, raging storm,
You kept her safe, the sweetest soul in town.

While I was weak, you kept her safe and warm,
You raised her with a love so fierce and true,
Protection took a gentle, sister’s form.

We started out as strangers neither knowing each other’s needs,

but crisis around our shared daughter made us infrequent but friends indeed.

The dearest sister that my soul has known,
I live to see the sky today because of you alone.

You were the wings when I was overthrown,
Thank you for being where the wind is caught,
Because of you, we never flew alone.

I watched her grow so fond of you and marvelled at her confident trust and quiet smile.

This I never envied you as you let me know just how she was progressing

and yet how tall she’d grown.

Nothing pleased me more than to sit and share her stories.

Her carefree little mischievous ways blossomed again with you together in your home.

I look back through my keepsakes and see her talents many.

I look forward to sharing these as time has passed a plenty.

I think and smile and wish the clock would yet rewind.

But nonetheless your care for me was never doubted anytime.

Her’s is our story now, today tomorrow and ever.

I feel our bond of motherhood never far from my heart or mind.

And thankyou for your sisterhood, it’s a really special kind.

I know we’re both quite busy, that’s best at such a time.

Because we’re now related, I rest assured, in time we will sit and share a cuppa.

And enjoy our precious time.