This week a sort of indulgence for me, writes Poetry Editor Gill Ward.

“July 4^th is the 13^th anniversary of my twin sister, Jackie, dying.

Jackie was brave and stoic

She was brave and stoic for a long time and I did tell her not to die and she did say ‘I’m trying not to.’

So this is one of my poems for her. You will see it’s about coming to terms. This poem was in my 2011 collection. Poetic Explanations (Kupu Press).

It was also printed in the Dom Post about that time. It was the poem they chose from the book so I feel confident about sharing it with you all. Gill

My sister wears a wig.

(after the treatment)

I look at you and think

you are still beautiful

but

you are the all the books I have never read

all the conversations I have never had

all the places I have never visited

and I think

too late

too late

and yet you are still beautiful

and still

me, churning and restless

tossed in a maelstrom

of fear, energy, rage,

injustice.

Yet

so long together

twin to twin

how can this be unfair

can I not recognise the

gifts

be grateful

be accepting?

Today I glimpsed you

bald

and thought

this is truth.

Denial grabbed her bag

of tricks and fled.