(This is a seven poem series that was directly inspired by my younger brother, Sam. I wrote a different poem based on my perception and experiences with him at each stage.)
Toddler Years
Your feet were hitting the floor.
Your mouth was learning
to form the words
you were so desparate to scream.
I began to resent you again,
but only because you
would pull my hair,
break my toys,
never let me have anything
without sharing.
You would eat whole mouthfuls
of green beans
and raw onions
like pez candy.
You threw fits all the time,
so that I was used to them.
I couldn’t leave a room
without hearing you trail behind me.
Somedays I wished for the time
when you were just a
bundle of blankets in mom’s arms.
Dad joined the military
and left the family behind
to go learn to be a soldier.
For the first time I saw mom
struggle with the stress
that was illustrated
by the worry lines on her face.
You couldn’t understand.
You didn’t even notice
he was gone at first.
I continued to resent you,
but only for your naivety.
