My sister

My sister has three kids.

I don’t know how she does it,

although when we were young

she always looked out for me

so I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised 

that she’s such a good Mum. 

She’s only 5 foot 2 so the kids 

are already sprouting up around her

like sunflowers. Her husband is

6 foot 4, so the children were always

bound to be tall. He’s a quiet, gentle 

man with a kind soul. Never rushed. 

The household is always full of energy,

the three ‘little’ ones often sitting together

to draw and paint. Me and my sister were 

always like this ourselves. Mum got us 

painting and drawing before we could 

ever swim or ride bikes. A lot of people

might think that isn’t very useful or 

practical, and that’s good for them I guess. 

I say this but my sister is actually a very 

competent swimmer. I remember when we 

were a lot younger she did that thing where

you have to save a brick from the deep end

while dressed in pyjamas. I was never totally

sure what this proved but I was mightily 

impressed. It certainly blew my ‘10 metre’ 

certificate out the water, if you’ll excuse the 

turn of phrase. 

I’m not quite sure what all of this is to say,

apart from that I love you my sister, 

and if I’m ever drowning, 

I know who to call.