A Barbie flies to the roof
Light up sneakers with a tell-tale mouth blink rapidy towards an illuminated figure standing at the stove
Mario and Luigi clash with Captian Falcon down the hall, first door on your left
Cherry trees are for staining little fingers and clean clothes
Linoleum floors are for dancing
A car, forever broken, sits waiting in the driveway
I am “brat” “tattle-tale” and “get out of here”

The butterfly emerges from her cocoon
The air is thick with unexpected change
The light that lit up the darkness around fades away
Bags are packed, tears are shed out loud and in the solace of silence
The green and white house that once held the world, now rings with the echo of a laugh
The road begins to fork
I am “good bye” and “see you later”

A crowd thunders and cheers in the frosted air
A touchdown is made and the steel ground trembles with stampeding feet
Number 50 dances after a tackle
He looks alive again
And the frosted air is touched by the warmth of a glimmering hope
I am “eloy” and “how have you been?” and “I love you cousin”

Red and blue cast off a face with more age behind it than its youthfulness shows
The cell doors close shut
Tears, nightmares, anger, sadness, hurt and fear
Love, overwhelming unconditional love
Determination, hope, support and broken bones starting to heal
I am “sister”

And you have been “jerk” and “meanie’ and “I hate you”
You were “good bye” and “it’s been a long time since I saw you”
You were “lil Jacob” and “I hope you’re doing ok” and “I love you too”
And now more than ever, more than I thought, even if I always knew
You are “brother”