Stephi and Ritsu by Alyssa Abell

Stephi went to college.
Ritsu followed along.
Ritsu with her anxieties,
every step could mean falling.

She couldn't get through.
some days she'd stay in bed.
Ritsu kept trying, walking,
despite her trembling knees.

Sadie wouldn't get help,
no counseling, no meds.
Stephi and mother urged,
 please, go see someone.

Ritsu is a mousy kitten,
trembling, but proud.
Stephi will love her,
until courage is found.

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Sadie and Maud

by Gwendolyn Brooks

Maud went to college.

Sadie stayed at home.

Sadie scraped life

With a fine-tooth comb.

She didn’t leave a tangle in.

Her comb found every strand.

Sadie was one of the livingest chits

In all the land.

Sadie bore two babies

Under her maiden name.

Maud and Ma and Papa

Nearly died of shame.

When Sadie said her last so-long

Her girls struck out from home.

(Sadie had left as heritage

Her fine-tooth comb.)

Maud, who went to college,

Is a thin brown mouse.

She is living all alone

In this old house.