This is for the Poetry Pairs contest. Please critique!
~
I'm sorry for stealing all your birthday cake
and blowing out your candles
and stealing all your presents and wishes.
But I only did it because
when you're the oldest, that's what you do.
Not that I'm really the oldest.
Technically, the sperm hit the egg at the same time,
but someone has to take the job of being the big sister.
And besides, you kicked me when we first met
and stole the space that was originally intended for just me.
For eight months I was forced to share
with you, the wiggler who sat on my head
and punched me in the stomach.
Mommy thought it was a war between the two of us,
and when we were finally born, she said
the doctor was simply breaking us apart.
The doctor: our first referee, but not our last,
because we couldn't stop kicking, biting, scratching, or screaming.
Mommy said once we learned to walk, it was all over
because no corner of the house was left unharmed by our little hands.
But sometimes in the night we were quiet
and those were the nights Mommy worried the most.
She would check on us constantly and watch
as we slept with our hands curled around each other's,
causing her to kneel down and cry at the sight,
though, admittedly she was rather exhausted at the time.
We were an exhausting bunch.
As we proudly marched out the door for kindergarten,
we were the cutest couple in the lot and
the teachers were absolutely terrified.
We confirmed their fears -- partners in crime,
we were the twin terrors and nobody could tell us apart.
And even though all our teachers were already confused
we did not hesitate to trade places and pretend to be each other
for silly things at first, like that time that you wanted the extra milk, so
I lined up for you in the school cafeteria and gave you my carton.
And that time you were afraid of the deep water
so I jumped off the high dive for you.
Our switching didn't work for that math test --
my handwriting betrayed us and we were grounded,
forced to live without TV or dessert for two weeks.
But at night, at least I could take your place
while you snuck downstairs and stole contraband
from the cookie jar.
Still, everyone loved us -- both of us -- anyway.
Most of the time, at least.
Though we teased and joked, they knew
that it was only because we loved each other
that we could pull off the stunts we did.
And I have to admit, even though sometimes
our mind-reading powers don't work and we can't stand each other
Life would be boring without you to share it with.
We've been through it all and somehow we've survived
and I'm always thankful you were by my side.
