Jennifer Copley: My Sister

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MY SISTER
My sister leapt into the world ahead of me, she fed me apples, I was not allowed to touch the knife. She was the sky that covered me, the vein that brought my blood. I understood her language but could not speak it. Now I am the orphan, the sister with no sister, walking behind her into church with the six mourners of our family. My shadow is small and soft, moving about lightly on the stone floor. It stretches to touch her as I offer flowers for her healing, to mend her heart quickly.
JENNIFER COPLEY

MY SISTER

My sister leapt into the world ahead of me,
she fed me apples,
I was not allowed to touch the knife.
She was the sky that covered me,
the vein that brought my blood.
I understood her language
but could not speak it.

Now I am the orphan,
the sister with no sister,
walking behind her into church
with the six mourners of our family.
My shadow is small and soft,
moving about lightly on the stone floor.
It stretches to touch her
as I offer flowers for her healing,
to mend her heart quickly.

JENNIFER COPLEY

Jennifer Copley lives in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, UK with her husband, son, dog and two cats. Her collection Ice was a winner in the 2001 Poetry Business Book and Pamphlet Competition

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