I take too long

To write

Waiting for perfection

To find me

Like an owner reunited

With a long-lost pet

I forget

I never knew perfection

It's not coming home

You don't live here

Questions, questions jumbled news

Flames curling

Mean tongues slashing, chanting

Sickening headache

Thick hot sun, thundering darkness

Her voice cracked and stumbled. She cleared her throat trying to push away the lump that blocked the notes from forming.

Looking down at the crumpled white paper in her hand she tried to focus on the lyrics, but her eyes were blurred with tears that kept advancing despite her efforts to control them. She thought self consciously about her red and dripping nose.

She tried again wanting the perfect tribute, the perfect song, but when her voice wouldn't obey she stopped. Silent she let the song drift on without her broken notes. She didn't know that moment was a gift- a reflection of a heart filled with love and pain- a perfect example of a sister's love.