All I Need Is a Friend | Teen Ink

All I Need Is a Friend MAG

January 28, 2009
By Ryan Moran BRONZE, Mt. Prospect, Illinois
Ryan Moran BRONZE, Mt. Prospect, Illinois
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

Books fill up my room.
Not baseball cards,
or pictures of girls,
or basketballs.
Maybe a blown up picture of …
… Pam Anderson might help.

Black-framed glasses
and a white,
pale,
lanky
body.
I should start working out.

At least I can read.
I read four books a day last summer.
The librarian,
80-year-old Mrs. Woodsworth,
she knows my middle name.
If only I had a real friend.
I am sick of seeing her old,
bony,
pale body.
Although it resembles mine.

The kids at school laugh.
Is it the way I dress?
Lacoste,
Ralph Lauren,
La Tigre.
I’ve tried every designer out there.
Staying in the house really saves me money.
My stupid rich parents give me $50 a week for lunch.
$50 times 36 weeks …
what is that?
$1,000,
$2,000,
$10,000?
I should probably know.
Straight A’s 12 years in a row
and counting.

With all of this,
or none of this –
it depends how you look at it –
all I need is a friend.



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This article has 1547 comments.


Es_Maya BRONZE said...
on Apr. 1 2012 at 7:26 am
Es_Maya BRONZE, London, Other
4 articles 0 photos 5 comments
So many boys and girls can relate to this poem! <3 

Kathryn123 said...
on Mar. 30 2012 at 9:33 pm

Just a suggestion, but what if you cut the line "although it resembles me" and let the reader make that connection?

Also, in your last stanza, how would it read if you moved the first dash to before "or none of this"?

just some ideas to play around with....


on Mar. 30 2012 at 6:30 pm
ZombieViking SILVER, Streamwood, Illinois
5 articles 0 photos 45 comments

Favorite Quote:
Beware; For I am fearless, and therefore powerful.

I drew a picture based on this poem! Love it!

on Mar. 29 2012 at 8:19 am
i like this poems not a fan rating 9

on Mar. 29 2012 at 8:16 am
well i like it not a fan for poems but i like so tumbs up rating 9

on Mar. 28 2012 at 8:23 pm
JadedHeart GOLD, Somewhere, Georgia
10 articles 0 photos 37 comments
Can I be your friend? That was beautiful! You have such a wonderful talent! Please keep writing!

SElahi BRONZE said...
on Mar. 28 2012 at 8:21 pm
SElahi BRONZE, Burr Ridge, Illinois
4 articles 1 photo 52 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

So much power packed into so few words; keep up the good work!

on Mar. 28 2012 at 7:43 pm
ashleydarling GOLD, Lafayette, California
11 articles 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Of course this is happening in your head, Harry. But why on earth would that mean it's not real?"

This is powerfully simple and simply powerful. Please know you're not alone. <3

on Mar. 28 2012 at 7:02 pm
PeNfReAk10 PLATINUM, Chino Hills, California
22 articles 3 photos 24 comments

Favorite Quote:
When life hands you lemons, take the seeds and plant them.

This is a very...INTERESTING poem. I think it's pretty good, but, for me? I'm just not feelin' it, dude. Sorry. But keep writing!

on Mar. 28 2012 at 6:35 pm
everlost PLATINUM, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
34 articles 0 photos 16 comments

Favorite Quote:
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." -Jimi Hendrix

I'll be your friend! :D

on Mar. 28 2012 at 3:30 pm
The picture was traced, just saying. Cute poem all the same.

on Mar. 28 2012 at 8:28 am
pen4peace BRONZE, Angeles City, Other
1 article 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
life is too short so don't forget to write traces of your life...

this poem very much...so simple yet so impressive...teens nowadays just really needs understandings and FRIENDS... 

Ravenne said...
on Mar. 28 2012 at 2:54 am
Ravenne, San Diego, California
0 articles 0 photos 6 comments
I loved it! Very powerful, yet simple. The descriptions of the troubled teen are straight forwards yet very personal and moving. The simple plea for friendship is nothing unfamiliar, yet stirring in its simplicity. I loved hoe the speaker describes himself and his life, along with his comments about the ways he tries or considers to try so he could get himself a friend. The speaker’s lack of understanding that it is most likely the unaccepting environment in which he lives that is to blame for his loneliness, or perhaps his own attitude, reflects the values advertised by the media and thus supported by society. Some parts that could use some work are the parts about the librarian and the parents that seem too captious. Unless, of course, you tried to point out that the character is friendless because of his attitude, which, in my opinion, weakens his request for friendship. 

on Mar. 26 2012 at 4:07 pm
saranova_92 BRONZE, Wallkill, New York
4 articles 0 photos 11 comments

Definitely something many of us can relate to . . .you can have so many things but without friends it seems so lonely. And it's hard to find a good friend who just appreciates you for who you are, imperfections, quirks,and all. Who loves you for what's inside...

Your use of concrete imagery is so personal and relatable . . .for me a poem is good when it causes me to feel what the poet feels - so awesome job! Keep writing and don't let others put you down because your love of words makes you different. Those are your gifts, use and enjoy! Don't change that for people, you'll find friends who care about you just the way you are; those are the only ones worth having  =)


on Mar. 26 2012 at 12:25 am
ImJustAGuy BRONZE, Oakland, California
2 articles 0 photos 22 comments
this is great and i can relate so much too it!  keep up the lovely writing!  pleaseee check out some of my work, im a new and upcoming poet !

Kapoodle101 said...
on Mar. 21 2012 at 4:47 pm
Kapoodle101, Wixom, Michigan
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
No one can make you feel inferior but you.
Eleanor Roservelt

This is very good, it's short and sweet and right to the point.  I think its true, people judge on appereances, and not what's on the inside.  VERY GOOD!

on Mar. 21 2012 at 3:03 pm
reman5 PLATINUM, Ganei Tikwa, Other
21 articles 0 photos 9 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Be the person your dog thinks you are"

trully one of the best pieces I have ever read. it isn't too fancy in words, and still doesn't fall short in length or description. just... so deep and expressive with feelings. wonderful, great work honestly.

on Mar. 21 2012 at 10:24 am
falling-rain GOLD, Layton, Utah
10 articles 0 photos 71 comments

Favorite Quote:
Getr done!
larry the cable guy

this is really good:) i think somehow all of us need a friend.. :) great job, keep it up and check out my work!:)

on Mar. 17 2012 at 7:17 pm
TheCaptainObvious BRONZE, Portage, Michigan
1 article 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
WITH LAZUH VIZION!

not bad not bad

on Mar. 17 2012 at 1:13 pm
ImJustAGuy BRONZE, Oakland, California
2 articles 0 photos 22 comments
please check out my writing, im a new and upcoming poet