Page 27 - Demo

Ditching the Guff13Poem for ChristineI don't know why she called me %u2018Princess%u2019.An ungainly girl with a tiresome giggle,ginger hair, freckles to match,dowdy dresses one size too big.Christine shared her family's whacko faith.When she brought her Bible to school,remained blind and deaf to other kids' mockery.Though sympathetic, I wanted no-oneto mistake us for matesand cringed as she tried to stroke my hairas though I was a doll to be fondled.Fleeing that fawning attention didn't work%u2014Christine just followed me like Mary's little lamb.My best friend moving away was the catalystfor months of misery from bullying threats,cold shoulders, vandalized workbooks.Only one girl talked to me then;she called me %u2018Princess%u2019.