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FOR MY SISTER

BY MARY ELDER

When I miss you I think of dancing on the cool
Linoleum floor, tapping bare feet
Over sunbeams and a marching band
Of ants from the rose bush.
The kitchen smelled like lavender and rain
And homemade cherry pie.

I think of matching pink sundresses with fraying seams,
Twirling around the barstools,
The thud of the rolling pin keeping a steady beat and the chickadees
Calling from a grey sky.
We ran outside to marvel at the stormy afternoon,
Heavy with sluggish rain clouds and hot summer wind.
In the garden the plum tree shook in the frantic air,
And we sat at its roots to catch the sparse,
Thick rain drops that slipped between its leafy roof.

We were called inside too soon-
When the thunder awoke,
Grumbling from interrupted sleep.
The chill of muddy feet and running noses
Was warmed by the coziness of home,
The thick and foamy hot chocolate waiting in
Snowman coffee mugs.

I thought we'd always be dancing in the kitchen,
Floating carelessly with the whirling smell of rainwater
And baking.
But the hallways are haunted with our laughter,
Even though decades have passed me by.
When it's raining,
I take an umbrella to the old plum tree,
And sit with you
To catch the raindrops.