From my niblings came littles
nephew and nieces, I mean
the babies are my niblets
they’re unseen,
but they sing.
Niblets make me happy
they look like my niblings
and sometimes
they hug me
just like my siblings.
Even though I never had
a child of my own
I imagine niblings’ niblets
have a bed in my home.
Don’t get me wrong
I’m not craving a child
I’m too old, the world is cold
niblets make you worry naught
all the day long.
But if I ever need
a little one for which to care
the soft patter of niblets’ feet,
a Cheshire smile
will always be right there.
– Sandra Johnson, 6/26/21
This piece is so much fun! I love how you use “niblets” to describe the little ones. I have a friend who also uses this term and I adore it. This work has a wonderful flow and a lyrical quality to it that feels like a nursery rhyme. You captured the sing-song quality of that genre so well. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Thank you- I wasn’t sure at first that I wanted to write this one because I don’t have kids, but I’m glad I did.