Dear Sal

Dear Sal,
I am writing this poem to tell you that it hurts me
that I can no longer say your name,
when someone asks me who my male best friend is.

I wish I could tell them
how you gave up your batting turn,
(even though you had fought three seniors for that over)
the second you saw me crying on the grand staircase of our school.
How you sat beside me,
while carefully opening your water bottle,
and offered me your handkerchief.
I remember the silly jokes you made until I laughed,
and later told my boyfriend to get his act together.

I want to tell them
how you’ve spent hours texting me
on the days I felt alone,
and how you trusted me with everything,
more than life.

I have so much to tell you.
I want to text you.
I feel so lonely.

Dear Sal,
Please come, sit with me,
and playfully bully me until I laugh.
Why did you have to outgrow me?
I miss you.
I have cried rivers since losing you.