Bare Feet

I am always one step behind
My sister, strong and confident, leads the way
She is the moon, eclipsing my sun
During a solar eclipse
She is Jupiter and I am the faithful Io
Chasing her round and round
Like a puppy chases his own tail

Strappy high heels sink noiselessly into the plush carpet
And I walk one step behind
A hand clasps my sister's hand, warm and loving
Her laughter echos
As she reaches up to press her lips to his
And my empty hand aches
And I stretch my fingers out hopefully
But no hand reaches back
Because I walk one step behind

Polka-dotted green flip flops thunk dully
Against the scattered sand
And I walk one step behind
Sapphire waves lick and coil playfully
Around her ankles
Her pace quickens
As unseeing eyes stare into a bright future
And I run to catch up
Splashing clumsily through the now menacing waves
My eyes fixated only on her
And I walk one step behind

Black converse slap the sidewalk disjointedly
And I walk one step behind
As high-strung nerves make hands tremble
And bleary eyes make feet stumble
I reach out
To steady her
To soothe the jittering of her hands
But she whips around with blazing eyes
And knocks my hand away
So I retreat back into my shell
And hide the pain in the folds of my heart
Because I walk one step behind

But I don't mind walking behind
Because when my confidence falters
And my steps lag
She turns, laughing, and grabs my hand
She pulls me forward
And she kicks off her shoes, and I kick off mine
And we walk, barefoot
Side by side, hand and hand
My sister and I
Together.