When you're the centre of your parents' world it can be traumatic when you find a 'little stranger' invades your world and turns it upside down. Here's a poem for brothers and sisters everywhere! I have four brothers and love them dearly but probably don't tell them this often enough - so if you're reading this please take note - or I'll tell my mum on you!

My Brother

When you were five
Well nearly! – I bet
That instead of a sister
You’d have preferred a new pet
Like a dog or a hamster
Or a rabbit or mouse
Anything but a girlie
To clutter the house
You must have hated me coming
Upsetting your world
This new tiny baby
All frilly and curled

It didn’t get better
As older we grew
For everywhere you went
I had to go too
Despite being locked out
And worms down my back
Your pest of a sister
Just kept coming back
I’d play games with your mates
I’d be one of the boys
And to make matters worse
I would play with your toys
But you got your revenge
After one playground folly
You found some sharp scissors
And cut the hair off my dolly

And now we’re both grown
I’ve forgiven you of course
Because you are my brother
For better or worse
You’re there when I need you
To listen to my woes
And to give me a hug
Till the problem just goes
I could go on all day
But I really must end
By saying “I love you”
My brother, my friend

©Marian Barker