KarMel Scholarship 2008

 

Poem

“Ode to a Special Friend”

By Arturo Padron

 

 

 

Desciption of Submission: “I fell in love with this guy named Dan, and am still in love with him. This poem illustrates me getting to know him and how I urged to be with him. It depicts my excitement for him and the downfalls I encounter. I fell for that typical "gay kid that falls in love with a straight guy". And it migt seem like there is no gay content. but the whole piece is about me showing my LOVE for this one special guy that I truly adore!” - Arturo

 

 

 

I

Dear current close companion, I bring you back to the sixth grade

Where we first got acquainted. Little eye contact we made,

Scarce hellos were said. Though we knew of each other’s

Existence, we fail to be garrulous towards each other.

The year ended. The termination was of no importance.

 

II

The long monotonous summer ends.

The smell of new backpacks adds to the aroma

Of fresh cologne and perfume. We find ourselves in

The same homeroom, though this time our relationship was

Forgotten. You have abandoned my being. I strived to encourage our

Camaraderie. Borrowing pencils, asking “what time is it?”, wanting

The skill of a math problem I already knew how to do; these

Attempts are fruitless. Once again, the grade ends.

 

III

The final year of middle school approaches. Physical education

Is the class that fate has chosen to plant us. I thank your parents for having

A last name that starts with the same letter as mine. This situation

Sets us next to each other each day. Our companionship improves as

The sun passes. Joy fills me up as we change from subject to subject

In our elongated discussions. I reluctantly wanted to let go of our, now noticeably short, year.

 

IV

Anxiety and nervous thoughts pour into me as I step into the

Ninth grade or what we call freshmen year. I forgot you and our memorable dialogues.

Half the year passes. As the second half initiates,

You finally make an appearance. Your features are

More radiant. I long to go back to our old ways. This time destiny

Inserts us into track. I hope to extend our friendly relationship. My dream

Is reached as we have deep confabulations. We become

Inseparable. My feelings grow towards you each time we sit

Next to each other on those bus rides. I grow more attracted to you

As we warm up together. If only I can tell you. I try to find the time in day

To spill out my secret to you. The opportunity finally comes. It is a cool night,

People are racing; we are sitting by each other. I reluctantly get your attention.

Your striking features stare into me. You see right through me,

You surmised at my secret.

 

V

Life went on. My dream slowly comes to a halt. You understood

My feelings, yet you could not comply with them. My heart cannot comprehend.

“Friends?  Close friends you want to be?” I foolishly ask. I hesitantly

Say fine. The time passes, we continue to coquet, yet we do not admit it.

I still wonder if there is any hope. It is only another fatuous dream. You remain my

Companionship, my buddy, my comrade, my hope,

My special friend.

 

 

 

 

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