As a parent, I want to one day say to my children,
I love you even if you’re free.
Tossing keys against a screen,
“Hi Mom- let’s talk after class?”
Do you yearn for me as I yearn for you?
“OK See ya later.”

Give all your sisters weddings.
I’ll love their children too.
Sisters are sisters are sisters.
I’ve become your sister too.
Will I remember how tall you used to look?
You saw me all the time.
I need to find a way to call you,
because that’s what sisters do.
Will I remember to be a child?
Fond of open window breezes.

Will I remember how tall you used to look?
Or better yet-
How small I used to be.
Back then, you saw me every day.
Do you yearn for me as I yearn for you?

I want to love my children even if they’re free.
I want to love them as you have loved me.