Daughter

The burden cried a soft, feeble cry
Her brother fed, giggled happily
The ragged doll lay dirty, torn
A shiny cricket bat as it glittered under the sun
The innocent tears fell in thick heaps
He was cuddled, held to a mother's bosom
The leering father, adventurous uncle
His pocket bulged with crisp new greens
Books dusty, utensils gleaming clean
The swings in the garden creaked happily
Shrouded in shawls, ashamed of femininity
He in a semi-clad body lolled around
The wedding reds, a bankrupt sigh of relief
A hope relieve as his new wife
Again filled the coffers to the brim...