A childhood friend, from now until forever.
By Christian Rios, 30th Jul 2010 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutWritingPoetry
So this piece is a little depressing. I wrote this about three months ago even though the incident the piece talks about happened over two years ago. The formatting of the poem is a little different here. A very abstract way of writing format I suppose.
I Read You Died That Night
1. I should have noticed the look you gave me when I left Saturday night. You held fast to me as we gazed at the few stars that break through the Houston smog, and you told me you wanted to end it all. That you were tired of everything. You could take it no longer. I looked directly into you with a sympathy that no one had ever given you, and said, “You are always my friend, a childhood friend, from now until forever.”
2. Sunday morning, in the special ten pound edition of the newspaper, an article with a picture of your face catches my attention. I remember the picture well. It comes from one night of you and I under the playground at the park late at night after closing hours; taken maybe four months ago. Under your smiling face in the most insignificant column, as if the story was somehow unimportant, read the headline, “Student commits suicide.” The article mentioned a few things about where you came from and possible motives. Most importantly it mentioned how you waited for your unloving mother to walk into the door. Her testimony said you were smiling as you blew your head.
3. Monday I get the note you left behind. “You were always my friend, a childhood friend. From now until forever. Take care of yourself. I’ll miss you. Love, ------“
4. Next Saturday. The park where we first met, and met many times afterwards. I sat on the bench where we had sat so many nights. 10:47. Time of death. I pull out of my pocket the same picture of us together under the playground from four months ago, and write on the back, “You will always be my friend, from now, till forever and ever. For eternity I will think of you.” I carefully fold up the photo. Under the bench I dig. 1 foot down, 4 inches around. I place our happy faces in the hole. The dirt is laid down, packed down, and stamped down. No traces of my work left, and I begin my walk home.
Comments
30th Jul 2010 (#)
That is so unbelievably moving and tragic.
Well done. You are a wonderful writer, and this is a very profound experience.
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30th Jul 2010 (#)
How sad. I am so sorry you lost your friend. I also lost my daughter-in-law two years ago to suicide. She was only 26 years old. The whole family was devastated. She suffered from depression and was on medication. Suicide is something that you never get over.
My heart goes out to you and may God forgive him and give him the peace he was looking for.
This is a great piece, written from the heart. You're a talented writer:)
Peace be with you.
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30th Jul 2010 (#)
Thank you both for your comments and sympathy. I appreciate it. Thanks for reading!
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31st Jul 2010 (#)
Very touching, and heartfelt. Sorry for your loss.
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3rd Aug 2010 (#)
i feel like crying...(T_T)
it feels like i lost someone too.
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