why do i long for the sibling i don't have a memory of
the precious baby in the old picture that my mother kept
his tiny lips the colour of scarlet, eyes closed, and his dainty body wrapped in a white cloth
i remember my mother's stories about him
that we got baptized in the same day in my father's hometown
how tiny and beautiful he was
how my cousin kissed his cold cheeks, not knowing that the life in him has already gone
i don't know but these days, i seem to think more of him
the what ifs in my mind every time i remember the sibling who would have been with us today at home
the sibling fights we could have
the ganging up on the youngest
the pranks on our parents
my mother said he is now an angel, and i believe her
i wish i had memories of him back when he was alive
but i guess i have to settle for what i have right now
just a picture left, and his name forever in our hearts.
