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Poetry: First Friend

We don’t have an origin
story, for we met before
memories form. Two little girls
living across a curved court

named after a man. Pigtailed
dancing dolls, we played through
seasons until one day you
moved and I learned heart-

break. Although I saw your
plane fly away, I looked
in all our hiding places
for you. I’ve never stopped

looking. Time has brought us
together over and over—but
we always lose each other
in the mess. Will this 

time be different? I need
it to be. You see,
I’m tired of playing pretend—
saying I’m okay when broken

bits of me want only
to be seen. You hugged
me tighter this time—do
you need me too? Can

we take off our masks
and find our old hiding
places again? Can we swim
together in secrets and show

each other the magical ways
we have survived? Grab my
hand yet again and let’s
run toward the setting sun

together.

*This was written after seeing my childhood friend at a funeral last weekend and never wanting to let her go. Thank you for making sure we made a date to get together. I can’t wait.

84 thoughts on “Poetry: First Friend”

  2. a beautiful, heart wrenching poem; you girls obviously bonded; a gorgeous photograph; and that final magical last stanza; you must take a photograph when you are ready with you two together as adults; so special 🙂

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  4. Sweet and poignant, with an urgency about it as well. I hope you two grow closer. Life is short, and friends are priceless. Wonderful poetry, Bridgette. :

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  5. Is this the one that died?

    As well, this is very cute and sweet. I like every part of it, including the author’s note. Bittersweet and touching.

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    • Wow ❤️ What a beautifully written poem about our friendship. So real and heart wrenching. I feel the same in many ways. The extra hug was intentional. I miss you, my heart misses you. Looking forward to our time together. Love you Bridgette. Always have, always will.

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  6. Childhood friendships are so precious to cherish <3 Glad you've kept that close bond all these years and haven't let it fray or strain – hope there's a chance to renew it afresh soon! 🙂

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  8. This makes me remember my childhood best friend. I was the one who moved away. I don’t think I’ve ever cried that hard in my entire life. I love her deeply to this day. We wrote letters for years. I lived for those letters in the mailbox. I still have them all. My letters to her were left behind when she, her mother, and her brother left suddenly because of her abusive father.

    Thank you for this poem. It makes me remember her well. ❤️

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    • Thank you for sharing your story with me. I also can’t remember ever crying so much as when she moved away. There is something so special about our first best friend.

      I’m lucky she lives close by now and we have another chance at creating memories.

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      • I’m sorry you had to go through that and I’m proud of you for having the courage to leave. I lost a friend because didn’t leave and was killed. Be proud of yourself for not staying.

  14. Tip Toeing past sentimentality, but you kept on the path. (I am too, but there’s a line not to cross, or you lose meaning in the emotion. You think?) But what you did do here is open a door, beautifully. Now cross the threshold. Me is sucker for this kind of introspection. Good writing (good life) is my continuing wish for you.

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    • Thank you Neil for the thoughtful comment. Yes, this may very well have crossed into overly sentimental. I’m still new to poetry and sometimes I’m a bit too “on the nose” and lose the more abstract meanings that beautiful poems contain. I needed to get this out and feel these big emotions and I actually wept when I finished as it was a huge relief to say these things. I am going to keep writing and striving to go deeper into abstraction and metaphor. I appreciate you reading my journey ❤️

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      • OK Bridgette, I talk too much sometimes. What you wrote is fine, just fine. What counts most is honestly expressing yourself. Above all other considerations. Really, really. (you should’ve seem my early poems. dripping.) But that is the path. You can only be the path you are. Keep writing. You will learn what you want to learn. Abstraction, by the way, no big deal at all. Real is more meaningful. You did good.

  16. This was beautiful. The treasured memories never leave us. I’m so glad you reconnected, even though the circumstances weren’t ideal.

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  17. Oh my, Bridgette. What a touching and beautifully sentimental poem! It brought back so many memories of my dearest childhood friend. She moved away, too, and we never saw each other again. It was earth-shattering for me. I wonder if she remembers those years when we were best friends. 😌

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    • I don’t think we ever forget our first best friend. They are carved into our hearts and stay with us for ever. I’m sure your friend thinks of you often. ❤️

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  18. Although I saw your
    plane fly away, I looked
    in all our hiding places
    for you. I’ve never stopped

    I think we all have a childhood friend who moved away. My little world was shattered when Susie moved away.
    Great poem

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  22. What a heartwarming poetry write you. You must take photographs when you are ready two together as adults. So… So beautiful photo. I like . You love someone entire lives but struggling to stay in eachother lives. I hope that can build our connection and it even stronger. Life is short, and friends are priceless. Amazing words written in, Bridgette!

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  24. This is so heart-wrenching and yet beautiful at the same time, Bridgette. You were both so young when you were torn apart, so it’s no wonder you miss your friend so much, and she, you, I expect. It must have been incredibly painful and emotional when your friend moved away. I’m glad you got to see each other again, albeit at this funeral. I do hope you manage to stay in touch with each other this time.

    I love the photo (and the 1970s wallpaper in the background – it reminds me of my Mum’s kitchen!). You two were so sweet.

    I had my best friend, Lorraine, move away to Canada from the UK when I was about six years old. I remember her face as if it were yesterday. I was heartbroken for ages afterwards. We’ve long since lost touch, and I wouldn’t have a clue how to find her again. I daresay we’d be leading totally different lives now and probably wouldn’t have anything in common. Ah, well, I can dream … Love to you, my friend Xx 💝

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    • Thank you for the kind words, Ellie. That 1970s wallpaper is the best, isn’t it? My best friend moved to the UK, but she did come back eventually (military family) and we’ve circled each other over the years. I’m really hopeful we can stay part of each others lives this time.

      Have you tried looking your friend up on social media? You might be able to reconnect! Anything is possible 🙂 Love back to you, dearest❤️

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  29. Lovely poem!! It reminded me of my childhood friend (sister), who moved to a different part of the city, and cause we were so young we lost touch.
    I miss her so much🥺

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  31. I simply loved your poem Brigette – First Friend.
    It took me to a very special place in my head – the place where my childhood friend sits close to me – where we are never apart. The place that belongs to us both and where we can see and feel one another’s presence even although we live on opposite ends of the world.

    Thank you for reminding me how much I love her.

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