Easter by Tatiana Pahlen

Easter
(To Eleonora)
By Tatiana Pahlen

Every time around Easter,
When eggs are colored with motley shades,
Memories go to my dazzling sister
Years back to the adolescent, joyful days.

The smell of pastry in the oven
Mixed with fumes of roasted lamb . . .
Fixing an Easter feast like a maven,
she challenged my paltry cooking attempt.

I miss her whispers before bedtime —
two heads together -- ear to ear;
we chased from the closets hiding phantoms,
Shared small secrets and large dreams.

Now in church, prior to Easter Sunday,
Hearing the bells at the midnight stand,
in heart, I'm still with my esteemed sister,
Praying with her in a foreign land.