Neal's Leukemia
30 June, 2004
Author: Holly A. Badolato
Last night I went to your grave,
It was cold and dark.
The moon was not shining,
And dogs began to bark.
I talked to you for hours,
About my life you've missed.
The problems that I have,
And the dreams I have wished.
I remember the night you told me,
About the disease you had.
I was so young,
I just didn't understand.
You told me you had Leukemia,
A disease that makes you ill.
It makes you bald and ugly,
But I loved you still.
Then the night it happened,
No one called and told us.
I went to school the next day,
And heard it on the school bus.
I went to your funeral,
And to your grave for a week.
And then I saw your Mother,
I could hardly speak.
We sat and talked for hours,
As our eyes began to lock.
And as she went to stand,
She handed me a rock.
She said, "NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY,
NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO,
ALWAYS REMEMBER,
MY SON IS WATCHING YOU."
I stood and hugged her tightly,
As our eyes filled with tears.
I told her that I loved her,
And I'd keep it for all my years.
Now 5 years later,
I sit and talk to you.
As I hold that rock in my hand,
I know you're listening too.
------- Author's Notes -------
This poem is a real poem and everything in it is true. It is written about my friend Neal. He died of Leukemia almost 5 years ago. He was more of a brother to me than a friend. He was at my house almost everyday. He was my brothers best friend. I loved this boy more than anything. He was only 16 when he died. He was my role model and my hero. He never let his disease bring him down. He always had a smile on his face and a joke to make you laugh. I could have never been prouder of anyone. When he was in the hospital for chemo and stuff i went in to see him and even though he looked so bad he made jokes and smiled just so we wouldnt be sad and now that he is gone i still think of him at his best. Never think of someone at their worst. PEACE OUT. Holly A. Badolato |
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Comments on this poem/writing:
| Terrie* (65.136.7.150) -- Wednesday, June 30 2004, 05:25 pm with tears rolling down and heart at my throat..your poem brought out many other tears that i have shedd once before, have had many friends over the past years whom have lost either a spouse, child or self thru lukemia , and support many friends now whom have a loved one with it today.. your loved one always hears and sees your life they move on in life but their spirit continues to drop in to make sure things their loved ones are well taken care of..this was a beautiful tribute to Neal, my heart goes out to you my child..hug/love |
| Meridian (152.163.253.8) -- Wednesday, June 30 2004, 05:33 pm Hey Holly... This was indeed sad about your best friend Neal.... It must've been hard for you, to cope for awhile, knowing that he died.... Like Terrie* said, this makes you cry, knowing that you held on to the rock, in memory of Neal.... Deeply heartfelt poem Holly.... Smiles, Meridian |
| hushy (80.6.138.109) -- Wednesday, June 30 2004, 10:10 pm hi holly,that had me in tears,very touching! love ben |
| LinzAy (68.50.131.27) -- Thursday, July 1 2004, 01:32 am As everyone has said in their own words...very touching poem. One of my friends was diagnosed with cancer before i met him...i was always tryin to look out for him after we met and i found that out. He, like Neal, always joked around and kept you smiling with him....and I don't belive he's stopped smiling. He's one of the lucky few that survives stuff like that. Very....strong of you to keep that rock and still have faith in him. Beautiful poem:) |
| Holly A. Badolato (12.34.167.226) -- Thursday, July 1 2004, 07:27 am Hi. Thank you very much for your comments on my poem. I indead cried alot while writing this poem. I am thinking of posting more of my poems about Neal and my many other friend who have passed. When someone dies you always have something from the funeral, whether it is a rock from the grave or a piece of grass or just a In Memory card. That isnt the only thing i have of his it is just the one that means the most. Thank you again for your thoughts and I hope none of you will have to go through something like this. And remember to smile aways, Never let anyone see you down. ~!~PEACE OUT~!~ ~*~HOLLY A. BADOLATO~*~ |
| barb (209.112.24.61) -- Thursday, July 1 2004, 05:02 pm Holly I had to comment.This is special Neal would be and is proud of you.What a beautiful thing to do. Praising him in a poem. |
| Holly A. Badolato (12.34.167.107) -- Friday, July 2 2004, 04:07 pm Thank You Barb for your comment. It means alot to me to know how people feel about my poetry. I know that Neal is proud of me, but thank you for telling me. Again thank you for your comment... ~!~PEACE OUT~!~ ~*~HOLLY A. BADOLATO~*~ |
| Annonymous (12.34.167.152) -- Saturday, July 3 2004, 11:52 pm This is a great poem and I love how you kept the rock. My friend just died of Leukemia so i know what your going through. Or what you went through. How did you get over it. And i read alot of your other poems. Why are they all mostly about death and are they all about the same people or different people.... |
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