Yet Lately, a poem

by Josette Abruzzini

I’ve always looked up to you,

followed your every move,

stood proudly beside you,

and flashed my fondest smile for you,

yet lately, you cast your eyes away.

I’ve shared my most magnificent treasures.

to warm you, cool you, nourish you,

to help you hum and glow whenever you like,

yet lately, you take my gifts for granted.

We’ve shared each other’s bounty,

relished in our blessings and privileges,

sung each other’s songs, giggled at each other’s jokes,

and delighted in countless happy reunions,

yet lately, the embers of our love have dimmed.

Together we’ve opened our doors to others,

worked with purpose, played in fairness

and created freely for the common good,

yet lately, I hardly know you.

I have housed your displaced,

fought your bullies,

and risked my life to save your burning house,

yet lately, I wonder if you even remember.

You are swerving off a path that we had always shared.

Your icy shadow chills me.

The sting of your threats send me thrashing.

I fear that your stuffed pockets and false friends

will suck both of us deep into the muck.

Yet lately, I hope upon hope that soon, very soon,

you come to your senses

and reclaim your goodness.

Your concerned sibling, Canada

as published in Pennsylvania Bards:

Eastern PA Poetry Review 2025. Local Gems Press

All rights reserved by Josette Abruzzini

Many thanks to Local Gems Press for the opportunity! And thank you for hosting the reading. A lovely evening!

Josette Abruzzini is an educator, writer and poet who builds bridges and nudges perspectives. She hopes that this poem lives up to both of those goals. As a native Canadian, a naturalized American citizen, a resident of the USA for over 50 years, she feels she is unprepared for the current situation.

While writing this poem Josette struggled to find an analogy that begins to express the relationship between our two countries. She eventually decided on "siblings with an age difference", told from the Canadian perspective.

Josette's goal in sharing this poem is to foster the longstanding international bond between Canada and the US. She is confident that, in time, the personal friendships will continue to grow and both countries will flourish in harmony.