In the arms of my sisters

I find

love and comfort

healing and understanding

honesty and freedom.

In the arms of my sisters

the literal and metaphorical

arms and sisters

I heal.

Brothers

I love you for many reasons

but my sisters

whew!

My sisters

they understand.

We fight on two fronts

gender and race

and in the face

of the hurts unique to this intersection

I need my sister’s attention

and affection.

Hold me sisters

lean in to my arms reaching out to you

together we always make it through.

A sister will always see

won’t ask

just walk over and take the baby from me

talking about, “go get you something to eat.”

My sisters see.

They relieve me.

No asking.

They know I would refuse

wearing my strong woman suit.

So they step in,

stand in,

lean in

to the gap.

They fill in where I lack.

They have my back.

In the arms of my sisters

I heal

I rest up

to fight another day.

We laugh

We smile

We refuel.

We live.

We love.

We lean in.

In the arms of my sisters

I find

love and comfort

healing and understanding

honesty and freedom.

In the arms of my sisters

the literal and metaphorical

arms and sisters

I heal.

Our love is real.

Artwork “Sisterhood”  by Glenn Daniels