Joanna Lee and Me
by: Joanna Lee's little sister

In the year 1950 you sistered me.
I called you my own Joanna Lee.

From years one to ten you gave me instruction
On keeping the room clean and ceasing destruction.

I wouldn't listen, I was stubborn in fact.
Slowly the rebellion broke our pact.

You were just trying to teach what was right,
But I turned my head and began to fight.

I became a tomboy, climbing a tree.
Even mother could do nothing with me.

I would watch you play with your dolls and stuff.
I watched and I watched, till I had enough.

I decided that maybe you had something there,
And perhaps with me your game you would share.

So I sauntered back into your graces.
The tomboy was gone, (well, just a few traces).

I traded my tennies for black pattened shoes.
And I tried to follow your don'ts and your do's.

I was supposed to learn what fork to use, when.
But you never told me why I had to know then.

I just wasn't ready for social graces to delve.
Bike races meant more to me at twelve.

Then came adolesence, I was growing up.
And again I became your little pup.

You introduced to me some finer things.
And told me about romantic flings.

You said I could look pretty if I give it a try.
It hurts to be beautiful, but I mustn't cry.

I learned about taste in dress and walk.
You taught me to dance and flirt and talk.

But then it came time for you to date.
And I was left home a few years to wait.

So many nights I'd watch you leave.
"...your time will come", but I wouldn't believe.

I resented you growing, and leaving me behind.
But I tried to grow also, my own style to find.

Then I found out that I had legs too.
I could stand on my own, I didn't need you.

Boy, how foolish little girls can be.
Cause, I really did need my Joanna Lee.

It seemed two worlds I was stuck between.
The one of society, and the other I'd seen.

I tried it my way. It no longer fit.
Your way seemed like a part in a skit.

You married and left, and I felt I'd lost
The friend I'd turn to whatever the cost.

Many years have seen the failures in me.
Oh, how I've needed my Joanna Lee.

So, again I seeked the sister I'd known
In hopes she'd accept me now that I've grown.

The person I found was growing, yes,
But the love in your heart was no more or no less.

So, the pattern repeated, I turned back to you,
Just to find out what it is you do.

You invited me to enter a brand new world.
One that only you could have unfurled.

You gave me confidence just to be me.
And I don't have to copy Joanna Lee.

Now you encourage whatever I do.
It seems my failures have become so few.

Yes, beginning in '50 you sistered me.
But all these years later, you set me free.

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