The Second Victim

Identical twins --
so much alike, yet,
so very different.
They often finish sentences
in perfectly timed unison,
yet their tastes hover over
completely different horizons.
They both are poets,
have wonderful senses of humor,
beauty unparalleled
(well, okay, maybe I'm prejudiced).
One is a butterfly,
the other is sparkling water.

Leukemia strikes, and
fundraisers make the butterfly
the center of attraction.
We must make appearances
at all the benefit events:
"Look!  Adrianne is here."
Workers rush to make a fuss --
"Oh, and you're her sister?"
Annaliese hangs back,
the "other," the "also ran" --
feeling very much a misfit.

Leukemia doesn't strike individuals,
it tears at the fabric of families.
Fear battles hope,
helplessness battles pride,
frustration and grief
work a tag-team against
love and joy.
It's hard for a child to understand
why they are pushed to the back of the bus.
Especially one as bubbly and vibrant
as Annaliese.

The pain is just as real,
the sorrow just as keen
for the tag-along
who’s seldom heard or seen,
the one lingering at the back of the crowd,
afraid someone will notice
the tears.

Dallas D'Angelo-Gary 99