Everything Is Going to Be Amazing (take two)
My sister, the night before she left for California,
eighteen, unable to sleep for the excitement
coursing through her. She’d drive alone
in her little white car
from New Jersey to L.A.
She had secured herself a spot
in a nursing program
but what mattered was
she was getting out
before things at home got worse.
She was already packed, not taking much
because what was there to take?
some headscarves and her best patched jeans,
a peasant blouse, a couple of books.
She never for an instant thought
of taking me.