by Saakshi Matthew

 Born in Kerala, known as God’s own county

Surrounded by ocean, coconut trees, rice paddy fields

My grandma groaned in pain as the midwife pulled out twins!

My dad came out still and small

Grandma gaped in horror amidst her pain

as the midwife announced the stillness of the other babe.

In the northern part of India, foothills of Himalaya

A girl was born 

Quiet yet stubborn

She loved to climb trees 

And hear the birds chirp

Being the oldest,

Quickly she learned responsibility

Four young siblings she took care

Not complaining but with peace she worked

She loved and wanted to be loved like a child

Grandparents arranged their fate

They were united as strangers

And fell in love

Dad said, he fell in love the day he saw my mom

My mom says that her dad knew the best

They both loved and laughed

Invited us, sisters, in their lives

They sacrifice so we have plenty  

They work hard so that we can learn

They face obstacles so that we are stronger

They smile when life strikes them so that we know the value of suffering

They continue to dream

Not for themselves but for the legacy they leave in and through us!