Sibling Bonds

we are at the dining room table

making those wonder loom bracelets

you assure you know what you're doing

and I believe you

concentrated on myself

finishing my first bracelet while you

have started at least five

a tangled mess that sits below your eyes

our mother makes her entrance

towered over, do it this way and that

all while I watch your hands begin to shake

defeat is written on her face

swallows the room as she walks away

why don't I have the courage

to ask if you're okay

why do I

throw out instructions

in the same way

do I hope that my patience

will make you wish to try

panic sweeps

as you begin to retreat

the beginning of what could've been

left abandoned

while you rise to your feet

these colorful bands mocking

daring me to continue now

asking me why can't you speak

but what am I to say

why did you stop?

do you want to do something else?

are you okay?

the same questions

mulling on my tongue

and disappearing with saliva

sat in silence

would you like a brownie

the only thing to escape

eyes searching for yours

but they are focused on the floor

a quiet no

just out of arms reach

mine follow your back out the door

and now you're gone

and the brownies are cold

and I am sitting alone