The Lifetimes It May Take —Eva Balistreri ‘21
and even on my team I hold a position of power I cut my hair and grew it back and dyed it blonde just to dye it back I pierced my own ears and got a tattoo in a place no one can see - not even you I saw the world from the top of a mountain and with my best friend I jumped into the fountain and know she is someone who is with me to the end I spent a night on the roof of the church three streets over with a girl from whom I never got closure I even drove to New York and got back in time to see the sun rise But I still wasn’t worth it, not in my own eyes I must not allow myself to believe that this is enough And simply give up when things get rough I have made it this far and will not stop now Yes, I’ve pulled myself through all the ups and downs So I must go on and I say this now Because there is so much more of which I could be proud I want to grow up and watch my hands wrinkle And on her wedding day see my best friends’ eyes twinkle I want to say that I have voted And know that to justice I will always be devoted I want to hold a child in my arms And do whatever possible to protect them from harm I want to look in the mirror and believe I am enough And perhaps even defy my younger self’s bluffs I want to see the scars of my tears heal Yet look back on those nights and remember it’s okay to feel But most of all, more than anything ever, I want to leave this life knowing I will be remembered.
Big Sister, Little Sister Photograph by Zoe Coval ‘23
Issue 37 | 45
