Shine
Sister, I’m sorry for every time I saw your light and looked away.
I didn’t know how to see it and not compare your shine to my shadow.
I didn’t realize you were showing me how.
I’m sorry for every time you asked
for kindling
for a match
for a bellows
and my answer was my absence.
At the time, I would have called myself “busy”.
Looking back, I would call her “afraid”.
I’m sorry for adding to the pile of proof in the case the world has stacked against you.
For adding another mindless, heartless, spineless tick in the column labeled “too”
Too bright
Too big
Too loud
Too brazen
Too much
I hope you know that you could never be too much
in this world that is in so many ways lacking.
I hope you know you could never be too golden
in this world that is in so desperate need of gilding.
I hope you’ll give me another chance to burn for you.
Together, we could be a wildfire.