In the album of memories, I gaze and find,

A stranger’s face in moments enshrined.

Glimpses of a past, once familiar and near,

Now distant, like whispers fading to clear.

“Snap a picture,” I begged, my heart sincere,

Hoping for a bond, a connection so dear.

My sister’s friend, I hoped would be mine too

Since my own friends never came through.

Fifth-grade graduation, after at the church, Kate and I,

If not for friendships, even short, I would continue to cry

Pink socks, orange dress, all I had to wear

Not pretty dress shoes, and my unflattering hair,

“Pretty,” they said, at school, sincerity out of place.

I believed in their words, to my own disgrace,

As their laughter followed, confusion took hold,

A painful reminder, I didn’t belong in their world.

Always the odd one, a puzzle’s piece apart,

Longing for a place, a home for my heart.

Years roll on by, reflections in time,

Eighth-grade dance, a memory’s chime.

A closet of clothes, for those in need,

Bullies’ cruel taunts, like a stinging reed.

We danced in circles, resilience our guide,

Together, the unwanted, side by side.

Looking back now, through the lens of time,

I’ve grown and evolved, Now I’m fine.

Those moments of hurt, they’ve shaped who I am,

But I won’t sugar coat, I want them to understand.

When I look at the photo, I think about you.

What journey have you walked, would you still do

those cruel things you did every day, every year?

Do you remember it the way I do, tear after tear?