The First to Break, the First to Mend

for the second-born girl who never stopped fighting

She was second in line, but always first to shield, a guitar in her lap, a younger sister in her arms, a voice that sang off-key but never off-love.

She bloomed early, and paid for it with suspicion, jealousy, and the kind of silence that doesn’t heal.

The world didn’t wait to bruise her. Uncles. Words. A mother’s glare sharper than any blade. Still she chose warmth, she chose care when no one chose her gently.

She gave, and lost. She loved, and was punished. They said marry or vanish, so she vanished into someone else's name, someone else's house, and still carved a home out of fragments.

Mwei-mwei by blood, but daughter by spirit, claimed, discarded, reclaimed. She found power in paper trails and land lines, offered grace to those who’d never earned it.

She raised children while being broken. Told to go back into storms. Told to be quiet. Told it was her fault. And still, she returned with courage that didn’t ask for applause.

Her daughters saw. Her daughters knew. Her daughters shouted the truth when she had been trained to whisper it.

She remarry, learned again that healing isn’t a one-time miracle, but a daily decision to walk away from harm.

She keeps moving, not because she is whole, but because her love insists on protecting others from what she couldn’t escape.

She is beautiful, not just in skin but in the muscle of survival.

She is melody, even if trembling. She is strength, even if stitched together.

She is not a tragedy. She is the reason any of us believe we might come back from the worst of it.

Author's Note

This poem is a tribute to a woman whose resilience shaped the foundation of those she loved. It tells a story not just of survival, but of courage, transformation, and unconditional care. It honors the ways in which second-born daughters are often asked to carry more, love louder, and mend what was never theirs to break.

Reviews

[Kady R.]

Woooww Gregoria!!! This poem is sooo heartfelt!! And I enjoy reading about the lives of different people and our differences.

"And still, she returned with courage that didn't ask for applause" has such strength to it. Its like the little things we do in our lives don't get recognized but we can all be heros in our own way.

I also love the ending "she is not s tragedy" which rings so much true!! We have everyday people with strength, courage and confidence to preserve. If we ever meet such people it can change us in what we do and how we see the world around us.

Thanks for that reminder that resilience comes through adversity. 🤗🤗🤗🤗

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Thank you, truly. This poem is deeply personal--it reflects my life and the people I hold closest to my heart. That’s my sister. She’s the mother I wished I had, my best friend, my confidant, and the one who guided me through the most tragic chapter of my life… even as she quietly faced her own.

Your appreciation means more than I can express. Just knowing that someone sees and values her--that kind of recognition? It moves me in ways I didn’t expect. Sometimes I feel I go overboard trying to honor her, but honestly… she deserves even more. She’d probably say she’s content with simply being loved—but the depth of my love is so complete, so unconditional, that I can’t help but want the world to see her as I do.

Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart. I’m truly grateful for your kindness.

[Kady R.]

What a kind hearted person you are Gregoria and how this is about your sister and you is mind blowing!!! 🤗🤗🤗 Thats wonderful that you're able to step back from yourself observe the world and in this case its your sister and see her for the profound person she is. I totally understand!! I love my family deeply in different ways but that sisterly bond is priceless.

Anytime and I'm happy my review gave you joy🤗🤗🤗