The mass color of exhausted runners splits,
as two, in matching red and white,
hobble across the carpeted grass,
decorated in the confetti of fall.

The taller of the two stoops,
letting the other climb
onto the chariot of her back.

With a shift of weight
and a shared giggle of friendship,
the two bodies
supported only by a pair of legs
amble over the craggy field.

In the weakness of her own skinny arms
the tall girl is barely labored
by the weight of the younger one.

Their features blend
into sister-like similarities;
the sandy hair with twists of gold,
the eyes like blue crystal,
and mutual smiles of white light.

The older girl cannot see
the flicker of a tear in the eye
of the friend that she carries.

But she hears it in the voice.

“What will I do when you’re gone?”

Salty water pools
in the look-alike sets of eyes.

The two heads dip in the realization
that time cannot be stopped.

- - -

A tall girl stands in a room.
Her solitary set of eyes stare
at time, captured behind a plate of glass.
One tear rolls down her cheek,
but a smile spreads across her face,
mirroring the white light of the picture.

She smiles,
knowing that the girl,
pictured upon her back
can now stand on her own.

Meghan Clay (91)

Meghan was the captain of the “91” North Attleboro cross-country team. She inspired everyone with a tremendous comeback from a severe mid-season bout with anemia. Her efforts were rewarded when she qualified for the state finals. Along the way she befriended a shy freshman, Jessica Blake. Jessica proved to her mentor that she could “now stand on her own”, by going on to qualify for state finals the very next year.