Orlando, perched a world away –
On a family trip to Disney,
A five-year old’s continuing cramp
Endless interstate left nil to see.

Two caravans, and ours a Dodge
Head south mile after mile after mile,
Stories told – my mom would disown
When you were not seated by my side.

At different levels on family tree, how
Blessed was I, that your youth put you near.
Close enough for you, me, and an older brother early
But as we grew, found a path to two, not three.

Trips toward you define much of my youth
Cross-city cousins, much closer than a palm tree,
Seated, looking up – you gently pen me with liner
A sister’s beauty, your gloss would overwhelm me.

Adult life seeks to set our worlds apart –
We each must nurture our own.
While you balance the crescent as I walk the way,
the arc of our orbit remains in stride, we
Share common blood, the wifely and motherhood –
A call to help others’ health.  Magnetized -
adherent, as if sweet taffy in a pull,
Back together again and again and again.

The Serengeti, found a world away –
a she-leopard approaches her time,
agitation yields to purpose, finding a silence –
thick brush, hidden burrow, discovered cave
she dens herself into stillness and safety
her blind young emerge in protection unknown

Humanity’s place, made a world away –
Women incented toward action on to the end.
Standards met short, fear and unquiet for so many
Dear Aisha - sense forest, find seashore, personal glen.

My cousin, my sister, my dear Aisha,
How can I be your helper this day?
A pat of blush on your cheek, a hug and kiss?
Please bring me in, come together, just say.