...In poetry truth may be understood

Beautiful Innocence

After her baby things were put in drawers
they dressed my little sister in girl clothes
covering what needed to be covered
She was younger than my seven years
and one the grown-ups said was cute
She and I tolerated each other and
shared time treats and good parents
while developing a special friendship
It was after she had turned five that
I began appreciating her red haired beauty
During childhood days we had no bathtub
so children's baths were near a fire and
with adults and older kids in the room
Without realizing it at the time there were
many mixed emotions changing me that
day when I appreciated the wonder of
the female body in its beautiful innocence


F William Broome 2009