Tailwind: Poems by a Teenage Naturalist

Second Chance

When I was young, I thought you were invincible
And nothing could tarnish our perfect life
You were my hero and my best friend
Through good times and times of strife.

When you first told me you were sick,
It didn't quite sink into my mind
We would still go on adventures
But not too much later I would find

It was ever so small at first
I could scarcely see
But soon simple things hurt you
And had you resting on me

Slowly over the years
I had to watch you fight
Though I was not always with you,
But I always had you in sight

Then one day you fell
And there was nothing I could do
Then we were apart:
They separated me and you

Seven months
Twelve hours apart
And four years of waiting
Waiting for a new heart.

I tried so hard
To push through
In my quest to finish chem and bio,
It would always remind me of you

The days we spent in the forest
Or at our favorite wetland place
Were now but distant dreams to you.
You spoke of the days we would play again
But I could see the truth on your face

Sitting on pins and needles
We crossed our fingers for four years
Then one day it happened
Our greatest hopes and lingering fears

Were realized.
And now we play upon the lake
Just as we did when I was young
And your world as prophesized had changed
When the hawk had sung

Now we are together
We made it through the strife
Though the memories are still a blur
One thing is for sure,
You taught me how valuable it is
This delicate gift of life