Jessica at nine

Wakes up snuggly and slow

stumbles

between breakfast and brushing

Head full of the best laid plans

Interrupted by the artist’s passion

Jessica at nine

You’ll catch her sometimes

alone

Watch a murmured doll conversation or

animal-apartment-complex

merging with the old stereo cabinet

Then

Mom, Mom, MOM! I need paper! No, BIGGER!

I’m making them a sky, you know.

Jessica at nine

A comedian sharing the stage

A sister between sisters

The perfect playmate to follow as deep into imagination

As you dare to go

Fighting off almost big enough with

Never

too

big.

Jessica at nine

Holds my proud-eye smile at her

Gives it back

Hears my silent message to her

Carry on, my Heart

My velvety-strong brown-eyed darling

My joy is to see you brimming

with becoming

Yourself