by Molly Alessandra Cooper
they were a burden growing up
the apron strings I tried to cut so many times
eagerly awaiting the day age justified avoiding them.
eighteen came and went
the time never came to turn down an invite
each occasion we were knitted tighter
each struggle identified and discussed as we grew
we learned our shared flaws
accepted, and continued.
we noticed the flaws in ourselves,
but learned strengths strong enough to conceal them;
stronger together, happier together.
I found pride in our honesty
love in our laughter
home in our togetherness.
at christmas and at the annual walk in memory of our relative, we still smile
still, an entire tribe of us commit and hold interest
and we don’t go home as soon as it can be justified
we stay together, eat more cake, drink more coffee
recognise our fortune: they were never a burden.
Molly Alessandra Cooper | @Mollyalessandra | Instagram