Wild child

She tells me,

"Hey wild child”

Tells me to take my shoes off before I enter

She offers to braid my untamed summer hair

And paint my nails an ugly green shade

A college student, she just moved here

Not much furniture

But I don't care

Her smile is enough to fill the room

But it would be nice to have some food

We drive to Aolani's Cafe

In her very first car

With an aloha air freshener

Dangling from the rearview mirror

Aolani's is our favorite place

We come inside and sit by the windows

She takes another sip of water

While I loudly chew

The drive home is quiet

Because our stomachs are full, and so are our minds

I have not seen her in a long time

But when I do, I feel emerged

In her love

You see, she calls me "Wild child"

And it's not just a phrase

Because when I enter her home, I am free

Able to be who I want to be

Because I know my sweet cousin,

Loves me dearly

No matter if my hair is wild

No matter if forget my manners

She loves me regardless

I am her sweet, Wild Child.