Young Writers Project is a creative, online community of teen writers and visual artists that started in Burlington in 2006. Each week, VTDigger publishes the writing and art of young Vermonters who post their work on youngwritersproject.org, a free, interactive website for youth, ages 13-19. To find out more, please go to youngwritersproject.org or contact Executive Director Susan Reid at sreid@youngwritersproject.org; (802) 324-9538.
A human’s best friend is at it again. This week’s featured poet, Jordynne McKinstry of Groton, pens charming words of praise for the canine that’s been there through the highs and the lows, through thick and thin. There’s nothing quite like smothering your face in the fur of your soft pup on a capital-B Bad day, after all: a true companion indeed.
Annie
By Jordynne McKinstry, 16, of Groton
Who would have known when we met 10 months ago that you would become so special, so dear to my heart?
At first, you were skeptical of my wheelchair and wouldn’t come close to me. But it didn’t take long for you to start following me around and barking at whoever touched me.
You quickly became my best friend: A friendship was created that I could never replace with a human.
Every sad day and every good day, you were there by my side,
cuddling me to make everything better.
I will always cherish the comfort you give me,
how the feeling of warmth and love having your soft head on my leg makes me feel.
You always know how I am feeling, whether that be sad, happy, or just moody.
You could easily get on my nerves, just as any best friend would,
but your lovingness makes my love for you grow every day.
Your bark when the UPS guy drives by always drives me nuts,
but it is something I miss when I don’t hear it for a while.
Whenever I need you, you are there for me, just as a human would be.
But to me, you are so much different and so much more.
Because you’re not a human.
You’re a dog who gives me comfort, who’s changed my life, and who I will always love.
