for Marilyn

Litter mates. Glitter mates. Mirror
of what you hate, what you adore
about yourself. Sleep together on the floor.
Giggles and snorts, kicks, forts
of chairs and furry blankets. Fury. Tangle.
Tussle and brush. Braid and wrangle, pulling hair;
it’s just not fair. One of you is picked.
Not it! On your mark, get set and go! Kicked
gameboards; slam and pout. Crossing the street
when the mean dog is out. I dare you.
A secret meeting place under the willows
against the fence. Sheets and pillows.
Toothbrushes, blood, things buried in mud.
All-ee, All-ee in free! Quit looking at me.
Canned peaches, cold beaches. You
and not-you;
anyone but you.

So sick of that piano song! Scented
markers. Shotgun! Wishing she was anyone.
Wanting to be anyone. Else. Lure the cat
to your lap from hers, pointing out
how loud he purrs. Making cookies.
Making up. Stealing make-up. Just shut up.
Together, bang the pots on New Year’s.
Pretend that you don’t hear her tears. Her
bad boyfriend that you hate. And yours.
Get home late. Will you, won’t you? Tattle-tell.
Pounding on the bathroom door, shirt that’s wadded
on the floor. You,
not you.

Share a mattress in the tent,
trees and stars and what you meant.
The thrilling doorbell. That weird noise
she makes in her throat. You both finish
the movie quote. Belting songs in underwear,
saying that you love her hair. Midnight soda run,
car windows down—U2 blasting to the edge of town.
Knowing look, shared favorite book,
all the things
you’ll always keep.
Someday, you’ll rock her child to sleep.

*****

‘Sisters’ was published in New Verse Review, and nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Darlene Young writes: “I’ve been blessed with two radiant, hilarious, gifted sisters. The one closest to my age has been battling cancer this year, something that took our mother when we were in our early twenties. I wrote this poem in honor of her, her courage, and all she has meant in my life.”

Darlene Young is the author of three poetry collections (most recently, Count Me In from Signature Press, 2024). She teaches writing at Brigham Young University and has served as poetry editor for Dialogue and Segullah journals. Her work has been noted in Best American Essays and nominated for Pushcart Prizes. She lives in South Jordan, Utah. Find more about her at darlene-young.com and @darlylar.

Photo: Darlene Young and her sister.