Where It Started

It started at a party

“arriving with my dad and leaving with my mom.”

Division and new beginnings.

They created an unworthy child.

Along with child who lost the war to breathe.

It started in first grade,

an ailment I still battle.

Diagnosis and medication.

Struggling with insignificant things,

ignoring rewards and punishments.

It started in sixth grade,

classmates replacing my misinterpreted friendship.

Loneliness and depression.

Finally recovering, but fearing rejection.

Dread of public speaking that wasn’t there before.

It started in eighth grade,

a place to speak to those who listened.

Happiness and understanding.

Used the shy to ask for what “makes them happy”

from those too innocent to say no.

It started in 10th grade,

nameless emotion mimicking a hurricane.

Tears and collapsing GPA.

Brothers, pets, parents, and cousins,

helping through something they never knew was there.

It started at a party

“arriving with my dad and leaving with my mom.”

Division and new beginnings.