[ezcol_1third]

[/ezcol_1third][ezcol_2third_end]

Poetry, Grades 7 – 9: Second Place

Only Imaginary — Haya Fine

My best friend is a boy named Liam. I’ve been friends with him since I was born, but lately he seems to be moving on from me.

I remember how we used to play with each other.

“Come on, Oliver,” he would say, “we’ve almost caught them.”

We would run around his house playing detective. Solving mysteries, fighting crime, you name it! But now, he seems more interested in playing video games and studying for tests.

I try to talk to him, to tell him that we need to spend more time together, but he says no. And when I ask him why, he always tells me the same thing.

“You’re only imaginary, Oliver. A figment of my imagination.”

Imaginary. It’s a funny word.

Adjective:

1.

existing only in the imagination or fancy; not real; fancied:

an imaginary illness; the imaginary animals in the stories of Dr. Seuss

They say I’m not real, that I exist only in a person’s imagination. But truly I’m more than that. I’m always there to support Liam when he’s sad, to entertain him when he’s bored, and to just be his friend.

I can feel myself fading away some days. Away from Liam, away from his reality.

After all, you’re only imaginary…


[/ezcol_2third_end]