Ivan

The loss of an imaginary friend is a loss of a true friend, let it be told.

His name was Ivan,

And he was tall.

But what I loved most about him

Was that I could be myself,

My true self around him.

 

I could pretend to be a dinosaur

Squawk around with my head cocked to the side,

And he did not laugh at me-

In fact, he would give out a loud roar

And charge beside me.

 

But that is the thing about

Imaginary friends-

They are very accepting.

Unlike my siblings,

He had time to pretend.

And he was not above

Crawling on the floor

Or swirling around.

 

But Ivan liked classical music

And elegant pastries,

He was very classy in his own way.

 

And the more time we spent together

The more real he was.

I could see his face,

Hear his voice.

I knew what outfits he favored.

 

But my family did not understand

Of course they found it strange,

My friendship with Ivan.

It was this issue for them.

So I would try to pretend like Ivan was not there

Around them.

This of course bothered Ivan.

Insulted, he could not believe that I would hide him

Hide a part of myself.

 

And there was this ultimate dilemma.

For which I was told to forget

To forget the greatest friend I have ever known,

Ignore him, Erase him.

 

So without Ivan,

I believe I became boring,

But more likeable somehow.

 

 

Reviews

[Sami Khalil]

It is a sad dilemma indeed losing a good friend...Splendid poem.........................