meeting a mirror of my soul

When I started high school, I had no idea that I was going to meet my soul mate.

We both were on a waiting list to attend the school.  I had already started some classes at a different high school, and was pretty miserable.  But my parents fought for me to get into that school.

Finally, I had a chance to take a placement test.  I remember walking into the building, and being led to my seat.  I remember the dividers.  I remember being focused, but aware of the others around me.

It wasn't until a bit later that I realized that my future best friend was sitting right next to me.

Apparently, she thought that I seemed really stuck up!  Hahahahaha...it's hilarious!

So, not only did she end up sitting next to me that fateful test day.  She and I shared a homeroom for all those years.  After my family and I moved to our first house, we shared the same school bus for the rest of our time in high school.  We both have 1 brother, both with the same first name.  We were both foreign-born in the capital cities of our respective countries.  Our names are even similar to each other, and our nicknames became synonymous with each other.  I wouldn't be surprised if we were somehow related in our past lives.

These are things I didn't learn until after late October of our freshman year.  We sat in different circles during lunch time, with friends from our previous schools.  One day, she was in crisis.  It's a long story, and I'm not planning to share her story here.  But the gist was that her and her family were in trouble.  I tried to help her as much as I could that day, walking with her to our guidance counselor's office.  Unfortunately, her and I shared a similar history.

We've helped to support each other through many trying times...boyfriends, family, health, sanity...

Thirteen years later, her and I are still best friends.  I'm in Boston, she's in New York.  Though our lives are very different, it's as though nothing has changed when we meet up.  I have no doubt that we will be in each others lives til the end...and maybe even beyond.

"Silent All These Years"

excuse me but
can i be you for a while
my DOG won't bite
if you sit real still
i got the anti-christ
in the kitchen
yellin' at me again
yeah i can hear that

been saved again
by the garbage truck
i got something to say
you know but NOTHING comes
yes i know what you think of me
you never shut up
yeah i can hear that

but what if i'm a mermaid
in these jeans of his
with her name still on it
hey but i don't care
cause sometimes i said
sometimes i hear my voice
and it's been
HERE silent all these years

so you found a girl
who thinks really deep thoughts
what's so amazing
about really deep thoughts
boy you best pray
that i bleed real soon
how's that thought for you

my scream got lost in a paper cup
you think there's a heaven
where some screams have gone
i got 25 bucks and a cracker
do you think it's enough
to get us there

but what if i'm a mermaid
in these jeans of his
with her name still on it
hey but i don't care
cause sometimes i said
sometimes i hear my voice and it's been
HERE silent all these

years go by will i still be waiting
for somebody else to understand
years go by if i'm stripped of my beauty
and the orange clouds raining in my head
years go by will i choke on my tears
till finally there is nothing left
one more casualty
you know we're to EASY easy easy

well i love the way we communicate
your eyes focus on my funny lip shape
let's hear what you think of me now
but baby don't look up
the sky is falling

your MOTHER shows up in a nasty dress
it's your turn now to stand where i stand
everybody lookin' at you
here take hold of my hand
yeah i can hear them

but what if i'm a mermaid
in these jeans of his with her name still on it
hey but i don't care
cause sometimes i said
sometimes i hear my voice
i hear my voice
i hear my voice
and it's been HERE silent all these years
i've been here silent all these years
silent all these
silent all these years

© Sword & Stone

Bank of America Pavilion, Boston
August 17, 2009