Cedar Chest

A cedar chest sits
Tucked away in the corner,
Closed for twelve years.
I knew what was in it.

Maybe that's why I never got too close,
What lay inside
could unleash a nightmare
I've tried too hard to close.

The tragedy of
A potential best friend.
A story that came
Too soon to it's end.

A lesson learned
That will be passed on
In the memory of a baby sister
who is twelve years gone.

Some clothes and a teddy bear,
Dried roses and sympathy cards
Who knew a simple box
Could make life so hard.