we used to draw sharks
on our living room floor,
and run away laughing
when it was time to clean up.

we’d sit at the curb
a block away from home,
consuming junk food and stories
no one will ever know of.

u were the baby of the family,
a constant reminder that i had to grow.
and ur name even came from me,
a responsibility i will always adore.

i’m sorry if life has failed u,
i can’t help the regrets that come rushing in, knowing in my heart that i tried,
but u just weren’t mine to save.

i wish we could stay in the past forever
ur hand in mine as we crossed the road,
i wish the innocence stayed in ur eyes longer,
but now it’s time for u to grow.