To my best friend who taught me who I was,
and that what I looked like, or didn't do, doesn't matter.
Thank you, Caleb. I love you dearly.

Kids are mean and cruel
At the madhouse they call school.
There are the geeks,
And the freaks.

Judged by their actions, their looks,
Or knowledge of books.
They cry out, "Someone be my friend, please!"
But all kids do is laugh and tease.

All had ears to hear,
All had eyes to see,
But only you, my dear,
Would listen to my plea.

You saw my need
For a friend,
So you took heed.
My heart you did mend.

Now kids laugh and tease at 'you and me'.
But don't mind them, please.
They're only jealous, you see.
Jealous of me.

For they know that no matter how popular they are,
Or how cool they may seem,
They could search far and near
And never find as good a friend as you are to me!

You took heed to my plea,
You took heed to my cry.
How I hope you see
That for you I would die!

- Abbi Funkhouser   (age 16)
Woodstock, Virginia, U.S.A.