I
thought I had missed You
But
You were
there
The
winter snow was too deep, too cold
For
a seven year old without proper attire
Walking
to school with brother and sister
You
were in the warm glove brother shared with me
On that
bitter Appalachian morning
With
one hand in pocket and one in glove
Brother warmed the woolen mitten
To
soothe my frozen hand
Taking
turns
With
Big Sissy
We
shared his gift of Love
And
You were there
You
were there in the bleeding switch wounds to my back
Maw
Maw’s wrath in believing a lie
Glass
door broken in drunken testosterone brawl
Big Sissy
and I took the fiery blame
But
You
were there
You
were there in the soothing ointment
Sissy
placed on the lacerated heartbreak to ease the pain
You
were there in her hugs and kisses
As
she whispered
“It
is going to be alright”
You
were there
You
were there in that small bed
When
the drunken stench of Uncle crawled in beside us
Whispering
things no little ears should hear
No
innocent soul should fear
You
were there in the arms of Big Sissy wrapped tightly around me
in
fearful whimper
And
You
were there
In
Maw Maw’s forceful Voice
Appearing
in the doorway
“Get
back on your cot!”
You
were there then
You
are here now
You
have always been with me
You
will always be with me
You
are here
~Cordelia Darlene~
