First
First
First I was to speak to you inside your cocoon
I called for you, when seeing you couldn’t be too soon
First my hand, your mother’s hand held, feeling you
I was awestruck, when I first felt your kick as you grew
To your sister, you would be our first real gift we’d ace
Peering over the green gown I was first to see your face
Your first day home on your sister’s lap you were at ease
I built your first swing and slide and you said Popa hurry please
You broke your arm, and the first we knew was in a week
That was the first we knew you were strong and not weak
Only in first grade you were, too little to hold your pain
But hold you did, and to the doctor we took you in shame
We wanted to be there for you and comfort and console
But even then as always, being on your own was your goal
Independent you were, you were first to color your hair
We thought back then, a rebel you were, and a holy tare
Undaunted by discipline and rebuke, you, held true
Only the you, you would be, to the you, that best suited you
As metal sharpens metal, you and I were razor sharp
First I was, to teach you to drive, in the side seat I did carp
Ears closed to me, you marched on, listing to your own beat
The drummer you heard, I did not, you stood on your own feet
First on your own you were, first to buy your first car you did
That was after you were so hurt, at first your life, the doctor doubted
At first you couldn’t breath or speak, but on your own you rose
Your first words you uttered, were hard for you to compose
At first you failed, but then with grit or courage you succeeded
Pain on your own, you first held, until one sad day you were defeated
Like in first grade when you were too little to hold your pain
Hold you did again, but this time, the doctor gave you back to us in shame
We wanted to be there for you and comfort and console
But even then as always, being on your own was your goal
I was again first to see your face, this time in a pretty box with lace
But all I saw was the body that you left behind, it was an empty vase
I wanted to say good bye to you, and call you in your cocoon, but you were already gone
Your beauty and heart and soul, that we first knew, was withdrawn
You are the first to leave us, and from that first day until now
You will be the first, I want to greet and see, someday somehow
For Kristin Mitchell
Written by Robert Mitchell Sr.