TINY CLINGING CURLS

I remember you
looking almost
Audrey Hepburn-ish

my big sister
& oh...
that smile

touching my world
with the wonder
of your love

we are Christmas-ing
the place
living in the candle's glow

love
nothing but love
in almost slow motion

the holly bites
your little finger
I **** the drop of blood

that grows
& grows
until it is kissed better

you laugh
'Ah...my little
saviour! '

and sigh
with an almost
mock Victorian swoon

tiny curls cling
to the nape of your neck
like the tiniest of tiny seahorses     

we swim
in the sea
of our laughter

the next Christmas
you were dead
lost to this

world
leaving me alone
to mourn you

I...
unable to
save you

now...all these years
later
(years you never knew)      

the holly
bites my little finger
& I **** it quickly

tasting through
my tears
the sweet tang

of your blood
still so alive
in my mouth