First Grade Friend

She told me she was obese, 
and that it was a disease.
Uncommon in the eighties,
cruel children would tease. 

She said her heart wasn't strong, 
and she took medication, 
also she might not live long.
To first grade ears this was devastation!

Soon we became friends and she was so much fun!
I wondered why other kids stayed away.
She told me I was her only companion, 
and she said she was simply born that way.

Soon I became convinced I'd catch it too. 
She was like me, with thicker flesh and bone. 
I risked my life for her like good friends do. 
I didn't want my friend to die alone.

(True story)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Lamoureux Avatar
September 19, 2019 at 8:55 AM
I wrote a piece titled Big Girls Do Cry. If you go to the top of this page and type the title in the search bar, you should be able to find it. I think you would appreciate it. ;0)
Ligon Avatar
September 22, 2019 at 12:47 AM
Thanks, Richard. I'll check it out later.
Lamoureux Avatar
September 19, 2019 at 8:53 AM
I hope your friend was okay. I’m glad you had fun together and that you got to know the real her and she got to know you.
Ligon Avatar
September 22, 2019 at 12:33 AM
I think she ended up moving, but I was always scared she was about to die and that it was contagious because she used the word "disease."
Beilschmidt Sr. Avatar
May 19, 2019 at 10:43 AM
Beautiful poem.
Ligon Avatar
September 22, 2019 at 12:32 AM
Thanks, Allen.
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