Olivia

by shira

my youngest niece follows me to the kitchen
to watch me make our lunch
i've never loved a child more
and wouldn't still if i'd known myself
when i was her hands
and i had her age

her mother says she looks like me
and for the first time, i have a sister
the daughter of my brother
the surprise of his wife
my definition of their life

i was accommodated for, too
and my eyes were blue like Olivia's
one day, she'll dress in my old clothes
and i'll tell her what she used to love






*** get posting, you guys.