How To French Braid
Ode to a Compassionate Sibling
Keep adding to What you have. There’s no rush -- Trust yourself Your fingers, Every one: even The little ones can Lend a hand. Smooth, Smooth, smooth The wayward strands, (They can’t seem to Help themselves) You can, yes,-- You can a yank little, It doesn’t hurt -- No worries -- This is just a Practice round Try again-- I’ll wait, I can sit. We’ll tell stories While you work, Weave words with Our worries. It takes time to Get it, to forgive Oneself for Slip ups, for Messiness. It won’t be Even, it won’t Look nice. Take it one Twist at a time, Let the locks Unlock themselves While you unspool Another tale from The week gone by.
This poem was requested by Rose S. She shared that her older sibling inspired her because of their deep kindness and empathy. (Her sibling uses they/them pronouns.)
I see them move through difficult relationships, professional settings, coparenting, and parenting with a deep compassion and grace for everyone around them.
Rose, thank you for inspiring “How to French Braid” a poem written during National Poetry Month!