By Mia Hanuska
i still remember, the first time we met,
back when you cursed through the entire alphabet
i still remember all the ways i’d fret
i didn’t want to be a friend you’d regret
we fought the splinters, the corners, the foam
we fought each bracket until we hit home
do you still remember, how we stuck together
back when they wanted us out altogether
do you still remember our trio’s conversations
we could count on each other to vent our frustrations
we beat the majority, the nonbelievers, the offenders
we beat those who thought we were confined by our gender
i still remember, those late-night calls
back when we’d each work in our own four walls
i still remember your thoughtful advice
i promised to make it worth our sacrifice
we gave up blood, sweat, and tears
we gave up everything and counted our prayers
do you know, now that you’re gone
back when you told me “you gotta hang on”
do you know you were the first i looked up to
i wanted to be so much like you
i’m trying to make you proud
i’m trying to say “i miss you” out loud.