The girl that swims with alligators

You're a Florida girl outside the city limits.
You battle the marshes' rise and fall.
You avoid alligators and swim across their lake.
Gators never bite you.

However, Life wants to tear you apart.
Your little brother, Chris dies at nineteen.
He leaves a baby boy for you to watch over.
It's amazing
You even survive in one piece
The only thing keeping you going
Is finding serenity in your nephew's laugh.

* Composed this piece during college.