To Care

by Emily Knudsen

Today I cried over the phone,

as she expressed her sadness.

My own mother wishing my own brother and I were friends.

I hung up feeling angry at myself but more than anything else, confused.

Why hadn’t I let him in?

Feeling sad over time wasted, I prayed.

I asked my Heavenly Father what could be done now.

I drove home and I passed the truck,

The truck I knew nothing about since he bought it.

I parked in front of the store and walked in.

He was scooping ice cream.

Feeling nervous and embarrassed,

I greeted his surprised look with a soft hello.

Where awkwardness stood,

I wished there had been friendship.

I looked into his face and his eyes

and couldn’t believe what I hadn’t before seen,

a thinner face, eyes more mature,

and a nose he’d finally grown into.

I almost cried at the amazement I felt

of finally caring enough to look at him.

Instead of seeing my unimportant little brother,

I saw a person whom I deeply cared for and loved.

We talked for the first time in a long time

as the customers drifted out the doors.

And I knew then, I would never be too caught up in myself to care.

Snow Shak by Jolynn Jeppson