Two Sisters

They are not aware that I am watching
Just out of sight
From a window
Long since the birds have fled
Frightened by the duo's cacophany
Only the chickadees stay
Knowing from years past
That the noise is bothersome
But nothing to fear

Almost a decade separates the two
One on the cusp of womanhood
The other bounding through childhood
Both with a grace
That comes from youth
And self assurance
They are everything
I want to be
And more

Now they are just two girls at play
Using cereal boxes as shields
Paper towel tubes for swords
Fighting for honor
Defending the castle keep
Each accusing the other
Of changing the rules
Neither retreating
Giggling all the same

This is their last summer together
The thought safely tucked
Away in a secret place
They have the same face
The same heart
A bond between them
Time can not break
But each knows
The one will leave

Next summer there will be only one
A solitary figure playing
But she will grow
And one summer she, too
Will fly from me
Like those birds
Who flew from them
Leaving just the chickadees