Do not doubt your ability
When faced with great adversity.
Release your fears, and you will find
All you need is a golden mind.

"Life; an adventure, or nothing"
She had no problem adjusting
Deaf in both ears, blind in both eyes;
All you need is a golden mind.

"Music is a mediator"
Healthy early, famous later
Lost all hearing, did not resign;
All you need is a golden mind.

"I don't know why I run so fast"
Before, they said her fate was cast
Four Olympic medals combined;
All you need is a golden mind.

Even when handed tragedies,
You'll walk away with victories
If you leave all your doubts behind;
All you need is a golden mind.

Picture frames outline memories;
I wonder if you think of me,
And the nights when we would run wild;
I turn back time, and try to smile.

Do you remember freshman year?
We were carefree, you were still here,
And movie tickets formed a pile;
I turn back time, and try to smile.

Do you remember your last day?
We said goodbye, you drove away,
And I broke down, just like a child;
I turn back time, and try to smile.


Even if you don't think of me,
I hope you're living happily.
These photographs should last awhile;
I turn back time, and try to smile.

Scorching sand covering my toes
Salty air in the wind that blows
The land and water harmonize ;
You're sublime, sweet summertime.

The ocean waves are in my hair,
And there are people everywhere.
This whole place is a perfect rhyme;
You're so sublime, sweet summertime

Sunset to sunrise, I am awed;
I cannot find a single flaw.
The stars glow brighter every night;
You're so sublime, sweet summertime.

She sells seashells by the sea shore
Returns each year, for she needs more
Of the grand, ever-changing skies;
You're so sublime, sweet summertime.

Icy eyes that unfroze my heart,
A riveting love from the start.
Great wings unfurled, for I was free;
You are my revered memory.

The stars have dulled, the moon won’t rise;
This loneliness brings dark grey skies.
We loved and loved so fearlessly;
You are my revered memory.

I cannot think, I cannot dream!
My heart is ripping at the seams.
I am still lost in reverie;
You are my revered memory.

Don’t think I’ll ever recover;
You were unlike any other.
And though I am in misery,
You are my revered memory.

You bought me bouquets of flowers
Called me up and talked for hours
Your heart, you said, I did possess;
You loved me more, I loved you less.

You slipped letters under my door,
Each one the same: “I love you more.”
A need  for me you did profess;
You loved me more, I loved you less.

You begged me not to leave your side-
Your voice shook, and you did not hide
Your desperation to impress;
You loved me more, I loved you less.

But oh, I could not carry on!
I couldn’t be your little pawn
On whom you’d place a wedding dress;
You loved me more, I loved you less.

Your love clouded the morning sky,
As I lived an enormous lie;
And so, my dear, I must confess:
You loved me more, I loved you less.

"You're crazy and no one likes you." I don't know how to respond. I am ten and have never heard such hurtful words before. She smirks as I walk away in tears, silent in my own disbelief. At dinner that night, my mother says she is jealous of me because I am such a smart, kind girl. Now I am confused. Am I an outcast that is hated by all, or the poster child for perfection?

She is insecure
Envy green with jealousy
But she still hurts me

"Wow. It's really sad that you have to tattle to the principal instead of handling things yourself." I don't know how to respond. I am fourteen and am now embarrassed for asking my mom to talk to the school, and to make sure I didn't share any classes with my bully. I delete the post from my Facebook wall and lock myself in my room. At dinner that night, my mother says I am mature for contacting the school rather than fighting with my attacker. But I am confused. How can I stand up for myself if other people are solving my problems for me?

I cannot escape
Her words make me feel alone
What did I do wrong?

"Guess who." I know exactly how to respond. I am seventeen and I have had enough. My bully moved away two years ago; I thought she had moved on. Apparently, distance is not a problem for her. One sentence is all she will get from me: "I feel bad for you." The phone company has her number minutes later and I am proud of myself. At dinner that night, I don't tell my mother anything, because there's nothing to tell. There is no more confusion; I know that she is not the only one of her kind, but I also know that I am strong enough to handle anyone whose insecurites knock them down a few levels in the realm of maturity. I only wish the clarity had come sooner.

To my old neighbor:
Thank you for tormenting me.
You have made me strong.

The vase sits on the counter by the window. I cry every time I look at it. This wound is still too fresh; how long will it take for a scar to form? Of course I remember it like it was yesterday; a week is not long at all, though it feels like it's been an eternity. The movie had just ended when I checked my phone. A few hours later, I was back at home. So was she. But not in the way I wanted her to be. We just sat around the table and cried that night. How can you feel a sense of impending doom when your world has already crashed down around you? There was no funeral. No service. No gathering. Nobody stopped by to express their sorrow or pay their respects. No flowers, food, or cards were received. All we got was a vase. I don't think I'll ever stop wondering whether the heaviness in my steps in the two hundred feet from the car to the counter came from the weight of her ashes or the weight of missing her.

I will miss your paws
I will miss your wagging tail
I'll miss all of you