I remember when I was coddled and cooed at, being stuffed into the arms of awaiting relatives.
I remember when I swore that my Barbie dolls had a heartbeat, and they "lived".
I remember when I would eat apples by the pound,
And I remember as the office chair would spin 'round and 'round.
I remember when I ate a tube of toothpaste, the colors white, green, and red.
I remember a pants belt, the leather long and the blood that would be "shed".
I happen to remember the hideout in the bush, where my brothers and I would stay.
To escape the loneliness and pain, that would never go away.
I remember when I broke the glass in the kitchen, and crimson ran in streams,
And I ran upstairs only for my brother to kindly come after me.
I remember when I owned a pair of Heelys, and skated back and forth across the room,
I remember the departing dream, a premonition of impending doom.
I do remember my rambunctious brothers, ones called Preston and Sam.
One grew through clothing changes, another in silence, and one who grew and never gave a…well, you know.
I remember getting stung for the first time, crying through the pain,
Yet half an hour later I was a chatterbox again.
I remember wondering why the sky was such deep blue,
And how fast air burst out when we all sneeze, "Achoo!"
I do remember riding my bike down the street, Only to crash and have my legs become skinned meat.
I remember breaking my Preston's skateboard, cracking it in half.
I remember him chastising me, blaming me, but inside I started to laugh.
I remember having nightmares, and falling asleep in the soiled clothes,
Only to awake and wonder who carried me back while I had dozed.
I remember being a tomboy for such long, growing years,
And never letting my red hair grow past my elf-like ears.
I remember when I decided to stand up for myself,
And choosing to be happy and share my smiling "wealth".
And I hope there will never be again,
And child who can remember not having a friend.