Bittersweet Memories – about losing a childhood friend I Poem by Sneha, 13, Rajkot

Bittersweet Memories

I look down at the photo in my hand,

Dust settled on it.

I blow it off, a faint smile on my lips.

Our smiles were brighter than the sun!

The grass swayed with the breeze,

The flowers entwined in an elegant dance.

I remember the river.

The fish being swept away with the current.

I watched you hop across the stones,

Calling my name from the other side.

“Hurry up!”

Your laugh echoed between the trees;

A sweet melody I never wanted to lose.

You turned around and walked into the woods,

Without. a. word.

“Wait for me!”

You didn’t turn back. Not once.

I watched as your footsteps led you away.

Away from me.

Come back…

Don’t leave me alone.

I should have followed you, I should have.

I knew that it was inevitable.

But not this soon. Not when we were happy.

Couldn’t you have stayed?

Couldn’t you have just been there?

Was is meant to be like that?

Us… together but alone?

Right now,

I stand looking across the river,

Waiting. Still waiting for you to come back.

This photo in my hand;

The last bittersweet memories of you.

If you can hear me now, just know…

Sometimes I still hear your laugh when the wind blows.

***

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