Visions of an umbrella
Disturb the pathway
Of where I want to be.

A teddy bear with
Undone stitching and
A missing eye sits
Staring at my soul

A blue dress, stained
With red lies on my
Bed. Horrors of that
Night are stitched into
The fabric.

I want to be away
From the world – world
That took her away

Maybe one day I will
Walk up the marble
Stairs to the golden gates and

See her sitting in her room
Being a nine-year-old
Girl. With a worn-out
Teddy, a yellow umbrella,
And the heels I borrowed

A ringing sounds in
My ears, a feeling
Of a warm red
Liquid seeps through
My dress and
Stains my skin

I look down and see
Her brown eyes flutter,
Her lips tremble and
Stutter “Please …
Remember me, Sissy,
I love you”

I sit in the alley asking
And crying to God
Why my sister lies
Limp in my arms

The flash of gunmetal
Burned into my eyes
Like a hundred suns.

“I could never forget you, Sissy …
I love you too.”