I wake to him kissing me

A wetter kiss never could be.

I feel safe when he is with me

A better friend never could be.

He wants to eat all my food

He sure can be quite rude.

As I get on to the bus

His barking causes such a fuss.

One thing I’m sure he does not know

I wished I did not have to go.

My dog he sits home all day long

I bet he wonders where I’ve gone.

What does he do? I sit and wonder

Oh crap is that the sound of thunder?

Under the table he will be hiding

On the bus I will be riding.

I do my homework on the bus

So there is more time for us.

Get off the bus and he is there

Gives me such a loving stare.

The day is coming to an end

So happy to be with my best friend.

♥ ♥ ♥ 

Two little guinea pigs given away by their mom,

They could not help but wonder what they had done.

They did not know how lucky they were,

When Mark, Mrs Mark, Katie and Lucy came into the store.

They went into a home all filled with love;

Two little girls played with them as their mom watched from above.

Bubble went first, and Merlin was sad;

Now Merlin is back and Bubble is glad.

They both are looking down, and watching the family they loved,

And saying to each other how lucky they were.

Now it is time to run around and not be sad:

They know we are in heaven, so they will be glad;

‘We both thank you so much for the great life we had.’

Love

Bubble and Merlin

[Note from Mark: In August 2017, the second of our two guinea pigs, Merlin, passed away - a little over six months after his brother Bubble. I was so touched when, shortly after, Ethan penned this beautiful poem in their memory]

Ink-black darkness, moon is bright:

Dragon loves to fly at night

Breathing fire - quite a sight!

Evening speeds away.

Lying on a treasure hoard

Golden crown, shield, scabbard, sword

Dragon’s feeling like a lord:

Dreaming through the day.

Giants squabble, goblins scheme

All the peasants shout and scream

Yet it’s not as it would seem:

Dragon sleeps today.

Knights come riding on a quest

For the king has called his best

Trumpets breaking Dragon’s rest

Woken now this day.

‘Who disturbs my treasured sleep?’

Dragon roars - the people weep

(Great their fear, it runs so deep:

They may rue the day).

Knights do quake, and turn to flee:

But a boy cries out with glee

’Dragon’s flying out to sea -

Now we’ve saved the day!’

So our tale comes to an end

And the town begins to mend

Let our final words be penned:

Dragon’s fled away!

I

The day I died was just an average day.

I remember waking up with the morning sun shining through my bedroom window. I remember how it warmed my back as I got dressed. I even remember stopping for a second, and thinking: ‘Maybe - just maybe - today will be different. Maybe today will be a good day.’ In my heart I knew it wouldn’t be, though.

I grabbed my backpack, and headed to the kitchen for breakfast. Breakfast was the same as always: quietly sitting across from Dad without a single word or a ‘Good morning’ being said. I went to the sink, washed my bowl, and grabbed the lunch money off the counter. I remember pausing and turning around a little at the door, hoping for a ‘Have a good day’ - even a wave or smile - but like every other day, it was not to be found.

Oh well, I guess it’s just an average day.

II

I remember waiting for the bus, and the lump in my throat as I saw the bus coming down the road. I knew I would be sitting all alone as I did every day before. As we stopped at each of the kids’ homes, I knew none of them would say ‘Hi’ to me as they walked past me, going to their seat. I remember them all laughing happily behind me.

Oh well, I guess it’s just an average day.

III

In school it was no different. It felt just like so many days before. Running from class to class trying to hide from a couple of bullies that didn’t like me, for some reason I never could figure out.

My luck ran out late in the morning that day. I saw HIM in the hallway waiting for me. I remember thinking: ‘What will it be today? A punch, slap, or kick; spit in my face; or just belittling me with hurtful words.’

As I headed to what had been my life for a couple of years now, something in me snapped, as I thought: ‘Not today.’

As I got closer to him, I heard him say: ‘Come here, and get what you deserve.’ Then he reached out to grab me. I jumped forward, and pushed him as hard as I could; and he fell to the floor, hitting his head on the lockers. I ran to class as fast as I could, and never looked back. I remember sitting in class feeling really good, I even smiled for the first time that day.

I thought: ’Now that I finally stood up for myself maybe - please God - maybe they will leave me alone. Maybe we can even be friends - wow, that would make me so happy...

‘Maybe this will be a better than average day.’

IV

Lunch was usually my most favorite time of the day. I really enjoyed sitting and talking with the couple of friends that I did have. I found out from them that word of what I did was going around the school. I finished most of my cheeseburger, and said to my friends that I’d be right back.

‘I just need to go to the bathroom.’

As I stood at the urinal, I heard the door open. I looked around, and saw it was him. I let out a sigh, and thought: ‘Okay, let’s just get this over with. Whatever it will be - a slap, punch, or typical name-calling.’

As I turned around, I started to say: ‘I am sorry…’ - but he lunged forward, and thrust a knife deep into my stomach six times. I grabbed my stomach with both hands, and fell to the floor. The pain was so bad. As I laid there, trying to breath, all I could think was…

‘This is definitely not an average day.’

V

As I opened my eyes, I remember how confused I was.

I was looking down at myself - so strange, I had never been able to do that before. I was such a mess. Blood was everywhere, and coming out of all the holes in my stomach. I was angry because I saw he had put rips in my favorite shirt.

I could see teachers, policemen and firemen running all around. I wondered why they would not talk to me. I kept asking them questions, but they just kept ignoring me.

‘Oh well, at least it does not hurt anymore.’

Things went dark for a while. With a bump, I woke up in a very strange, cold room. Off in the distance, I could hear my Dad’s voice.

‘Help, Dad - help me, please - I am so cold, Dad.’

I saw Dad standing over me, crying and repeating my name over and over. I had never seen my Dad so broken.

‘What, Dad? What is wrong? I am right here, Dad - please answer me.’

He put his head on my chest and said: ‘I love you so much.’

‘I love you too, Dad - I love you too.’

Why can’t he hear me?

’Wait, stop - please stop - do not pull that sheet over my head. I am scared of the dark. I can’t be dead - I just can’t be - I’m only fourteen. Please, God, please - I’m sorry if I did something wrong. I promise I will be better. Please, God - please give me...

‘Just one more average day.’

***

A story about why we should never allow bullying.

Ethan

Time to wake up !

Another day

Eggs bacon hash browns biscuits and gravy.

Eat then go shower .

Get dressed for the day.

Everything starts swirling spinning in my head .

Sudden feeling of hopelessness and anxiety .

What do I do and how to I cope today ?

Can do nothing right it seems ?

Is it because teenage blues or something else?

Everyone close wants me to change and be best I can be.

So much expectations

Nothing less than a ninety for school grades if you make an eight nine or lower your grounded for month.

No dating allowed unless it’s a proper girl .

I can’t chose who I want to be with .

So confusing so messed up.

Peer pressure is difficult .

Parents pressuring me.

Swirling into a black hole deep in my heart and mind .

Will I ever get out of this ?

Will I not ever get to be me ?

Tightness and sadness grip me .

Turning turning someone please help me get off this pattern !

Can I just be me ?

No you can’t you have to change to what everyone else wants you to be .

Why oh why do teenagers have so much pressures ?

Who knows from day to day if I will ever get to escape ?

Can I please for one day be me ?

Can I please have some fun ?

The answer I get is no because you need to be better and to prepare for life .

Depression and anxiety set in .

Time for bed.

Maybe I will get lucky and sleep .

Again I ask when can I just be me ?