Sibling Games:

This isn’t going to work
I can’t go back again
I cannot think the way she did
I’ve lost her somewhere along the way
She was always afraid of opening the door.
She is still afraid of a dark room.
She was always afraid of the cellar,
The cellar that smelled of potatoes about to rot.
The rustlings that might mean mouse, or worse, a rat.
The dark corner under the steps, where something old
and spoiling lurked.
She hated carrying the kerosene lamp.
she knew she might stumble and the globe shatter
and leave the open flame.
She hated the cupboard with the scent of cheese and souring cream.
She could see herself falling with the pitcher full of milk.
Still, she knew she must and opened the screen, grasped the jug turned down the
burner and climbed toward the open door above.
Her brother
shuts
the door.
If he comes by, he always shuts the door.
Why do brothers who are not afraid
by Fran Sbrocchi