Petunia's story

A little bundle in a basket

Her eyes looked at me through his

A letter in tall slanted writing

I had lost her. Again

He was a year old

Just months younger than mine

Crying for his mom

His tears merged with mine

I cannot let him in

I cannot get close

I cannot lose her

Not for a third time

He was older now

Resilient, strong, affectionate

He was what she was

I couldn't protect him

I remember how we held hands

Two little girls against the world

My best friend, my sister

My soulmate, my world

Until she got that letter

In tall slanted writing

And I lost her for the first time

To a world I would never know

Rose cheeked and shiny faced

She had told me about her adventures

I was lost, I was alone

I couldn't understand her

I am afraid, I have always been

Of love, of closeness

Of being loved

Of being abandoned. Again

I look at her through his eyes

One last time, As I leave

This was all for her. All of it

After all this time. Always