Side-by-side

I’ve always loved our time alone together,

Napping in the afternoons after daycare,

In your bed, where I wasn’t allowed at night.

My brother slipped out at his first chance so,

Just you and I, always your cuddliest kid.

Visiting your mother the last time, just us two,

It’s the only vivid memory I have with her,

But it’s you who stands out in my mind:

Watching you empty the hoard of containers,

She and I, laughing and laughing till it hurt.


After she was gone and I had gotten older,

You and I found more things to do together.

Watching Golden Age of Broadway musicals,

And cooking in the kitchen side by side.


Of course, everyone got time alone with you,

But somehow mine felt special, your hand in mine