Faye Carteret/Poem

Reading stories at my sister's bedside 

Telling white lies to keep my brothers out of trouble 

Sometimes it's boring, sometimes it's wrong 

''But as long as I know I'm helping I can carry on. ''

They don't need me 

They would be fine if I was dead, or 

''Never existed at all. ''

I know I'm not significant 

''But since I'm just... there, ''

''I'll be just there, helping. ''

''Cheerful, optimistic, bright-eyed, unimportant little old me. ''

''I know they don't need me. ''

''They know it too. ''

But if I can make myself feel useful, 

It's good enough for me!