Curly brown hair beneath a baseball cap;

Indians, Orioles, Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds.

Square jaw, hazel eyes with a cleft chin;

Shiny braces through a big bright smile.

Before we met before I existed

There was you the youngest of three.

Obsessed with Pokémon, Footy pajamas

Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers.

Fiercely guarding the goal, with heavy padding;

Never letting the puck get past you.

Playing left, right, second base and pitching;

A fastball with a break no slugger could hit.

Chillin’ with the boys at the skatepark.

Kickflips, three sixties, falling, getting back up and doing it again.

In your room, tapping cymbals, snares, and bass drums.

To you it was rhythm, to me it was noise.

Summer starts in Salem

Deck to pool, cannonball splash.  

Burying me in the sand at Salisbury,

Pulling me from the riptides.

Breaking through the waves, swimming out to sea;

Bringing back a lobster buoy.

Bonfires light the night, on the cool sandy beach.

Winter night snacks;

With gooey nachos, juicy cheeseburgers and the bubbly dew.

I heard our folks say,

you would ride your bike, a real long way.

Arms outstretched, singing, I believe I could fly.

Oh, how you flew, like Icarus real high.

So close to the sun, that you fell from the sky.

Staying in the moment, whenever I think of you,

Gives me the courage to focus on what I have to do.

Through your trials and tribulations,

I am stronger-harder-longer

Though one act does not define the man,

You have given me cause;

Me, your baby sister and your biggest fan.