In memory of my dear Cousin Andrea
I remember –
Childhood parties at your place,
Your mum’s lemon filled fairy cakes,
Swishing our patterned skirts to Dancing Queen,
Nana’s glamorous dress ups from her ornate glory box- full of fun,
Fox fur hiding in the darkness of Nana’s cupboard- red beady eyes peering out at us.
Hopscotch, barbie dolls and elastics in the street- skipping ropes and hoola hoops.
Your smile was the sun-
Now it swirls in the Winter winds- melting morning frost-
Thawing hearts of city stone statues-
Your smile tells huddled birds-
Stories of laughter and song in your heart-
Childhood dreams-
Adult aspirations-
Your smile left this Earth too early,
But makes Winter snowdrops sing-
You see you were just too smart for this world,
Clever and funny and beautiful,
Ocean eyes- contagious laugh,
Quirky and most of all brave.
Fighting a courageous battle in a world you didn’t want to leave.
Cousins-
My Dad – your Mum- brother and sister-
Shared history, blood,
Lives entwined- childhood dreaming,
Your smile- it fills bare Winter trees with hope of new buds in Spring,
Your smile- spirals and lifts towards the sun-
Illuminates the stars-
I always thought you shined-
Glitter in your veins
Goodbye Andrea
