His illness appeared when he was just four,
"A simple bruise", the doctor swore,
Until the door bell screamed one night,
A new dimension had come to light.

His sister's eyes filled with heart wrenching tears,
They had never been apart in their four short years.
Having never gone to bed without him before,
She was totally heartbroken as she wept on the floor.

Her brother as white as the linen sheet,
Imprisoned and isolated in a sterile suite.
Watched his sister trying to make him laugh,
And ease his boredom and pain by half.

Funny drawings she sent him when he was too ill,
His terrible pain she was trying to kill.
His immune system was tired and weak,
Through a closed window she tried to speak.

"Good morning" she would call over the phone,
"I miss you so much when I'm here on my own".
"Sweet dreams" she wished on calling each night,
"Remember to cuddle Teddy and he'll help you to fight".

His therapy lasted over long gruelling weeks,
His strength steadily grew through troughs and peaks.
Now everywhere they go, hand holding hand,
Her brother in remission, life is just grand.

Written & (c) by John McKay Withey 2008