A Sister’s Voice

It is my sister’s birthday today (pictured above with her husband and daughter) and to celebrate her special day, I would like to share one of my new spoken word pieces which I had written about her called A Sister’s Voice. I surprised my sister one evening with an audio recording of A Sister’s Voice which moved her to tears.

A Sister’s Voice illustrates my appreciation and gratitude for my sister and what her presence in my life has meant as she is my only sibling. Also, in this piece there are a couple of references made to A Woman of Strength which is a poem written about my Mother and A Father’s Labour of Love which is another new spoken word piece written about my Father, an ode to each of my family members.

In the past month, I have shared A Sister’s Voice live for the first time at the 2013 Labour Women’s Leadership Conference. More recently, I shared A Sister’s Voice on air in the Radio 531pi studio for Yolande Ah Chong’s breakfast show. Those who have a biological sister and/or have someone whom they consider and call a “sister” will be able to relate to this. Enjoy!

A SISTER’S VOICE

© Maryanne Pale, 2013

God knew that I needed to be brave

so He made she

my sister

a gentle pursuer of peace

raised by A Woman of Strength

nurtured by A Father’s Labour of Love

.

It’s in her eyes that I find the fire

to light the path ahead of she

but when darkness looms

and mountains become too steep

her wisdom pulls me up to the peak

where the renewal of strength is carried in the horizon

above dissenting clouds

where ancestral legacies echo chants of a fighting spirit

only then

do the view of the valleys begin to shrink

and I find that fire once again

.

From sunrise to sunset

she dances to the rhythm of my heartbeat

you see

my downfall has never been her victory

when challenges become whirlwinds of destruction

she takes my hand

and together we huddle

to brave the storms

Her quiet confidence is always followed by

a sense of peace

a sense of freedom felt by grace alone

she is my warrior sister

.

It’s in her softly spoken voice that I find the courage

to speak

to uplift

to inspire

as she reminds me that our voices

should bring power for those who go unheard

her heartbeat becomes my drum roll

for encouragement to break that silence

and liberate the tears

.

A projection of hope is she

resonating within moonlit dreams

to give up – never!

Growing up I was a protector of she

but the years saw her become a protector of me

Her humble nature exudes love

a kind that her daughters will never hunger for

.

A gentle pursuer of peace

raised by A Woman of Strength

nurtured by A Father’s Labour of Love

a devoted daughter is she

a bold mother she is

my sister

God knew I needed someone

like she

Happy Birthday Loleine Poaki Pale-Finau. I love you! Wishing you a wonderful day and may God continue to bless you abundantly today and in the many years to come. I appreciate all your love and support. Thank you lil’ sis for always being my rock. ‘Ofa lahi atu xox