I knew you then, so long ago
When it was just us—two outside loners
We became our own private “in” group
You came to my house, but
More often, we were at yours
Talking about the latest Trek novel
(I got to proofread the most recently
Composed chapter in yours)
While John Williams’ movie soundtracks
Reverberated from your stereo

I was fascinated with all your endeavors.
You were writing a book,
Coloring a huge poster with medieval dot art,
Researching the genealogies of kings and pharaohs…
Aspirations abounded—
Art, writing, movie-making, history—
I was a fan!

It was our senior year.
AP English came and went.
So did graduation.
I left for summer camp
Already engaged to be married.
Your folks moved and you disappeared…
Off to college, I think.

We wrote for a while, then lost touch.
I don’t know you now—
Where you’ve gone, what you’re doing—
But I knew you then…
When we were friends.

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