her clippings arrive weekly in long envelopes
my sister has stuffed so full
one end has split open

I peruse them quickly
thinking
why does she waste my time

how many times have I told her
not to send them
but she insists

ah but I know she means well
as clipping keeps her company during those long hours
when she is home
alone

I can see her at the table in her kitchen
with her school girl scissors
mulling over every article
every picture
even ads
she'll check or underline a word or two
that's caught her interest
and since she has no stapler
she'll use a spot of glue
to connect pages

I am about to toss them all in the trash bin
when I close my eyes and see her smile
hear her speaking softly to herself

is it guilt or love for my sister
that makes me retrieve
and read each clipping
once
and then again