Emeralds and Gold ( For My Sister)

Behind those eyes of emeralds and gold
that can't disguise a soul unfathomably old
is a spirit untamed and wild,
yet sophisticated, wise, and mild.
From within that beautiful shell
radiates the light of my Michele;
my twin, my sister, my best friend,
my mind, my heart, my love never end.
I remember years ago,
before we felt the cold wet snow
and basked in the Texas sun
in Fairmont Park where life begun.
Our world could fit in a square mile;
the Park, the Ditch, the Pool... we smile
at the memories that we share.
Gilliloppers, the Cat Club, Little Rarrrr!
The humid heat and chlorine in our eyes
that made rainbows in the skies,
the hot side walk under our bare feet,
playing kickball in the street,
holiday parties at the schools,
making mischief and breaking rules,
wire-walking across the lawn...
its hard to believe those times are gone!
A two-story clubhouse right out back,
Mr.McKey mornings in his robe with his paper drinking Jack,
Sean, Christie, and all our friends
that time has split in separate ends...
The deep sunset in the Southern sky
with long wisps of spanish moss in oak trees high,
my how time has seemed to fly
since the time we kissed Texas goodbye.
To New Jersey, off we ride,
all the while you sobbed and cried.
Moving away broke your heart-
you never wanted a brand new start.
In the back of a pick-up on foam rubber,
I listened to my sister sob and blubber
and felt inside the sharp ache
of a little girl's heart crack and break.
Lucky you, for like no other,
you had ME for a brother!
I'd make you laugh and tell you stories
to ease your pain and calm your worries.
The trip was long and full of thrills.
Frozen bugs and a cat stoned on pills...
Sunny Florida and enchanted Disneyland,
our favorite relatives and beaches' white sand...
Once up North, it became clear
the world we knew was not so near.
In a campground, in a camper, in a new place,
we explored New Jersey, our original home base.
To a house that became our new home
in the woods where the Jersey Devil roams.
A green fixer-upper dream is where we lived
with plywood floors that creaked and gived,
with rats and fleas, but so many wishes...
new schools and people, like the Drisches.
Ugh... the thought is hard to bare!
But, we made it! Made it through there!
That time was bleak and hard on us.
There was not a day without a fuss.
Readjusting to a place
where nothing is familiar, not a face...
Once so popular, we fell from grace
and started over almost a subhuman race.
Thank God, time always continues its flow
because things get better as we grow.
You developed much better than I.
Then came the era I wanted to die.
It was the best of time, yet the worst...
A time I was blessed and then so cursed.
Through it all you were there for me...
so full of hope, so sisterly!
I am still so sorry I hurt you in those years
I wish you countless blessings for those tears,
especially the ones that I caused
back in the day when I was lost.
Now, I am found... as you can see!
I got away from the life that was killing me.
But, I hurt at leaving you that way
in that place where I could not stay.
Consider this my final plea,
Forgive me, Roo, I am so sorry!
You give me strength when I am weak.
You brighten the days that seem so bleak.
You let me talk until I am mute.
You have a way of being so cute.
You always give me a different view
with a perspective so uniquely you.
Your perception is sharp and so true;
without you what would I do?
In these times that are so trying
and with emotions that can't stop lying,
I am glad you are by my side
supporting me and being my guide.
What a light in this world you are!
Hopefully, you will never be too far
for us to hang out until we are old
and see you laughing in emeralds and gold.