Maybe This Means I've Grown

When I was young Mommy meant
maybe
on friday mornings
when I asked to sleepover
Sara's house.

Maybe after
karatebasketballpractice
familydinnerhomework
cleaningyourroom.
Maybe.

When I was young sister meant
baby
doll cuddled into a blanket
red, sucking the furry coat
of tickle me Elmo
and crying
as the whiskers of fluff
tickled her throat.

Now Mommy means
I love you.
Really.
On every morning
even the ones that come
after a midnight argument
with words for punches
thrown harder than
our fists are clenched.

Sister means
diva, drama, dreams
and Hannah Montana.
She sings with the
Best of Both Worlds,
still too young to know enough
about the real one.

And because of her youth
she thinks Mommy
means maybe
on mornings before school
when her goal is
Yes.

Maybe after
girlscoutsfamilydinner
disneychannelmarathonsand
flutepractice.
Maybe.