By Gala
Date: 19 June 2000

Learned From Little Sister

I used to hate this skin---
the not perfect smile
the flaws I saw whenever
a mirror sneered in my direction.
And then she danced in,
laughing
bubbly
full of life
lusty
bloody marvelous
she is---
and as I watched her
I started to wonder
if i were not a little special.
Maybe not that bad...
maybe almost a little bit worthy
of being called "love"
by a man who sounded
like he meant it in spades.
She listened,
cheered,
danced
laughed
and called me a twit
when I needed to hear
and before I knew it
I was dancing too...
and I lost tons of lead,
eased up on my heart
grew fairy wings
and became elven
hearing her laugh
at my surprise.
She taught me to love myself
with all the warts
and scars
and when I did
suddenly I was loved back---
from all directions.
So little sister
of the happy feet
and boundless heart
and endless pluck
thank you...
for teaching me
and helping me to soar.

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