Waking up, putting on my shorts and shoes
Excited for the first day of first grade
Walking down the road, I saw a girl
She stood next to trees. One wilted and bending over, the other not.
I asked what she was doing.
She smiled and said
These trees are me, you see.
You see the one that is wilted, that is me.
I looked at her
She was wilting.  A machine attached to her gears turning.
I giggled, she frowned.
“I’ve always wanted to be a robot.  I think you’re cool.”

Waking up, combing my hair,
Excited for the fourth day of fourth grade.
Walking down the road, I saw a girl. 
She stood next to trees.  One wilted and bending over, the other not.
She smiled and kissed my cheek as a tear ran down hers.
She looked at the trees. “Look, that one is dying.”
“No, it isn’t”
“What do you mean? Do you not see the colors changing?”
“That other tree will hold it up so it will never fall over.”

Waking up, packing a lunch.
Excited for the eighth day of eighth grade.
Walking down the road, I saw a girl.
She waved at me and laughed- “Why are you always so late?”
“I always want to make sure I look good!”
She giggled, a sound that always echoed in the walls of my heart.
She coughed, a sound that always echoed in the walls of my art.
“Are you excited for the school dance?” I asked
“As long as I am going with you!”
“Did your doctor say it was okay?”
“Yeah, as long as I keep the mask on.”

Waking up, brushing my teeth
Excited for the tenth day of tenth grade
Walking down the road, I saw a girl.
She was staring up at the trees, the one that wilted having fallen onto the other.
Her head wrap tied around her, her sulken eyes- She was beautiful.
“Excited?” I asked.
“For what?” “You forgot we had a date?” “The chemo is getting my head!” I rolled my eyes.
“Just kidding! Of course I remember.”
“Are you going to bring it?” Pointing to her air tank.
No, I don’t need it.  I have you.

Waking up, picking out my best clothes.
Excited for the twelfth day of twelfth grade
Walking down the road, I saw the trees.  For once, I was early.
I looked up at the trees and waited, observing them.
Would she say yes?
I held the ring in between my lap, nervous.

Waking up, fixing my hair.
I had fallen asleep waiting.
The sound of the tree falling echoed in the walls of my heart.
I sat up and checked my phone.
19 missed calls from Her.
I smiled and called the phone.
“Honey, this is her mom.”

Waking up, wiping my eyes.
Sulking the lorn of the day.
I walked down the road, looking at the trees.
One fallen over, the other wilting.
Kissed the fallen tree, which had her name carved.
She had fallen, and the machine attached to her
falling.