PAD Challenge Day 19: 1st Cousins

PAD Challenge Day 19: Write a family poem.

1st Cousins 

Growing up in the 90s, 

my first cousins were 

my first companions. 

My first best friends 

before we learned how 

to pronounce and spell

F-R-I-E-N-D. 

We shared more 

than flesh and blood. 

We shared quality time-

known today as nostalgic 

memories of us being two 

then more peas in a pod.

We were more jolly than 

the Jolly Ranchers and 

sweeter than the Crack Jack

from the hands of our 

grandma's at sleepovers 

where we were fed 

food from the soul, 

danced the Electic Slide 

and did the Tootsie Roll.

Every summer, 

we dreamed out loud together 

over grape, green apple, orange 

and cherry freeze pops 

and Lemonheads.

Far from Warheads and Airheads, 

only Nintendo, Easter egg hunts 

and Trick-or- treating made 

us short-term frienemies. 

 

At our own 

private pool parties 

or beach trips,

we were really 

each other's life guard. 

In the winter, 

25 days of Christmas 

kept us warm and cozy, 

side by side on 

sectional furniture or 

pallets on the floor.

And Windsor Park on

Windsor Drive in Fayetteville 

was our sanctuary-

we played in peace 

with the same love  

we have today 

though we are miles 

and miles away.

💜D'ElegantOne 

Family Matters by Clarence Heyward Photo taken circa 2024 at CAM Raleigh, NC