A recent note from the eldest daughter

Being the eldest daughter reminds me

that I can never falter

And if I do,

the criticism gets louder 

and louder 

I’m always the one trying to keep

the sand castle of a home together,

so delicate, so fragile, 

aware of every grain, every pain 

Always the one

whose truth hurts harder

Always the one

expected to be stronger

Anger seeps into my body

while calm settles on my face

a walking paradox of a person

this is what it means

to be the eldest daughter