for Sasha

that girl who grew up in a small town
she never thought she’d be here now
with all this life experience
and so much more to learn from it

she learned how not to take up space
cause if she did, she fell on her face
got teased and cared what others thought
kept trying, even when they broke her heart

some friends seemed real but led her on
that day. that letter. the memory lives strong
though then, she couldn’t find its purpose
the universal lesson surfaced

the friend she left behind was waiting
as it happened, on this occasion
a beacon of forgiveness shown
a funny moment set the tone

she never thought it’d last this long
the guiding light she looks upon
friends for life like few have known
weaved together, each stitch was sewn

distance melts away like snow
no time apart alters what she knows
others may have come and gone
she’ll be here waiting, like she’s been all along