Plague

Thank you, rain,

For when you gently caress my window,

your rooftop staccato

Calming my plagued mind.

Thank you, my companion,

For welcoming me home at the door,

For finding safety in my room, whenever you were scared,

For your silky poodle curls, a child’s bear

So bright and mischievous,

you make my day, even when chewing my clothes.

Thank you for the book,

When in youth I had explored its pages

A story of a creative mouse,

Who made stories out of scraps of paper, told children to do the same,

without, today I would not be writing, and would not know myself.

Thank you for your smile,

The one you wore everyday on the year that we could talk,

That brought me to school, that brightened my day,

made me feel like I belonged,

when I thought you were the only one who cared.

Thank you for the dog

Who was instead, a big brother,

Who came to guard my door when I awoke, frightened, from a nightmare,

Who would chase me around the couch when we were small,

Who slept in my bed the night I was alone in the house,

Who got along with every animal we brought home,

Who’d find ways to run away, but always return safe,

Who was taken away too soon.

Thank you, brother,

For listening to my complaints when no one else would understand,

For listening when I told you the stories that’ve been trapped in my head,

For when you gave me advice to break up my dumb disputes,

for how you continue to believe in me,

and for letting me do the same for you.

Thank you for the song

The one you sang for an audience

That you filled with the beauty of your voice,

with the soft piano chords you played

The one you sung to the sand and sea,

And the waves applauded you.

Thank you, my friend,

For you kept me calm when I wanted to scream

For when I was boiling over stupid feuds,

you stayed and helped when nobody came

for hearing me out with endless patience

for believing in me and my dreams.