I love reading poetry. There is nothing quite like the soul of a poet. Delicate and all consuming and it always shines through the words that are always chosen so carefully.

When I recently revisited the words of E. E. Cummings’s poem I couldn’t help but think about my big sister.

My sister’s first born was different than all the other children. By the time he was a year and a half he could already solve simple math problems and by the time he was two, he had stopped speaking altogether. He didn’t point and didn’t sit still but had – and still has – the purest heart I have ever seen.

It is easy to focus on my nephew’s angelic eyes and heart of gold, but when I read the lyrics of Cummings’s poem I thought about the emotional struggles my sister is going through.

She laughs her son’s joy and cries his grief and frustration. But most of all – ANYONE’S ANY IS ALL TO HER!

I can still remember how when he was 4 years old my sister suddenly burst into tears. I had no idea what had made her cry and then she said “He will never say ‘I love you mom’”. I was so overwhelmed by her simple but so profound concern and took it upon myself to teach him these words. I know he loves her dearly, he is a loving person, so I didn’t mind how mechanical these words sound when they came out of his little mouth, and she didn’t mind either. I hope.

It is difficult to understand how difficult it is for a mother of an 11 years old son to be thrilled when he types a full sentence on the computer. It is not easily understandable how an initiation of a simple conversation can yield such immense joy in a mother’s heart. Thus I find that these words “anyone’s any was all to her” depicts so well my sister’s trials and turbulence.

I adore my sister’s strength and endless capacity to love and understand.

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What poem or line of a poem to you find inspiring and reminding you of a person who is dear to you? Please share by leaving a comment.

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