All I Need Is a Friend | Teen Ink

All I Need Is a Friend MAG

January 28, 2009
By Ryan Moran BRONZE, Mt. Prospect, Illinois
Ryan Moran BRONZE, Mt. Prospect, Illinois
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

Books fill up my room.
Not baseball cards,
or pictures of girls,
or basketballs.
Maybe a blown up picture of …
… Pam Anderson might help.

Black-framed glasses
and a white,
pale,
lanky
body.
I should start working out.

At least I can read.
I read four books a day last summer.
The librarian,
80-year-old Mrs. Woodsworth,
she knows my middle name.
If only I had a real friend.
I am sick of seeing her old,
bony,
pale body.
Although it resembles mine.

The kids at school laugh.
Is it the way I dress?
Lacoste,
Ralph Lauren,
La Tigre.
I’ve tried every designer out there.
Staying in the house really saves me money.
My stupid rich parents give me $50 a week for lunch.
$50 times 36 weeks …
what is that?
$1,000,
$2,000,
$10,000?
I should probably know.
Straight A’s 12 years in a row
and counting.

With all of this,
or none of this –
it depends how you look at it –
all I need is a friend.



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This article has 1547 comments.


Adwita BRONZE said...
on Feb. 28 at 10:13 pm
Adwita BRONZE, Delhi, Other
4 articles 0 photos 1 comment
The poem is fabulous !it is almost like the poet read my diary...as a teen with straight As and the unrelenting desire to fit in ..I can relate to this a lot ...well written!

on Oct. 17 2023 at 7:56 pm
Cutiepie10009, Newton, Massachusetts
0 articles 0 photos 12 comments
This Poem is so sad It remindes me when I was little and I was looking for a friend .

on Oct. 17 2023 at 7:54 pm
Cutiepie10009, Newton, Massachusetts
0 articles 0 photos 12 comments
Nice Job Ireally like this

on Oct. 12 2023 at 12:41 pm
Mahathi_R BRONZE, Chennai, Other
1 article 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The entropy of the Universe always increases"<br /> <br /> "Medicine is my lawful wife and literature, my mistress. When I get fed up with one, I spend the night with the other- Anton Chekhov"

Well written, so crisp and sweet. This poem is unlike other mundane poem, makes you feel the essence deep down

on Aug. 25 2023 at 5:48 pm
NobodyGreek BRONZE, Navasota, Texas
2 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
We have all got both light and darkness inside of us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That is who we really are.<br /> <br /> <br /> -Percy Jackson

I can relate I also desire someone to connect with

on Feb. 7 2023 at 8:29 am
MadameofWar SILVER, Warsaw, Indiana
6 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
Were I to fall in love, indeed, it would be a different thing! but I have never been in love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall.<br /> —Jane Austen, Emma

This is the poetry I and hate too read. I love it because people can relate to it and it makes you feel seen. I hate it because it reminds me of how much I relate to this and kinda makes me want to cry.

sarsmithh GOLD said...
on Nov. 8 2022 at 9:27 pm
sarsmithh GOLD, South Glens Falls, New York
12 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
everything happens for a reason

so good wow

on Oct. 25 2022 at 8:37 pm
Ambiguous101 GOLD, Baxter, Minnesota
14 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body

I can really relate to this poem. I have no friends other than the characters in my books. I get straight A's and people only talk to me for help with their homework, quizs, or tests. I really like how it speaks to me, as if it understands and knows what I've been going through. Along with other people. Great work!!!!!

_ITSJEMMY GOLD said...
on Sep. 21 2022 at 11:36 am
_ITSJEMMY GOLD, Lagos, Other
14 articles 0 photos 12 comments

Favorite Quote:
IF YOU CANT LOVE ANYONE AT LEAST LOVE YOURSELF, YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE DONT LET ANYONE CHANGE THAT, YOU ARE LIKE THE STAR THAT SHINES AT ITS APPOINTED TIME

I understand how it feels to have no friend but yourself. it would take time to find a good one but when you do you would be happy and glad you waited. Trust me I've been there before

goneg1rl said...
on Aug. 18 2022 at 2:17 am
goneg1rl, Danville, Virginia
0 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
All extremes of feeling are allied with madness - Virginia Woolf

amazing.

on Feb. 18 2022 at 8:18 pm
kali73304 SILVER, Long Lane, Missouri
6 articles 2 photos 35 comments
I really like this poem. I can relate, my room is also filled with books. I never really have fit in anywhere.

0102327 BRONZE said...
on Jan. 25 2022 at 10:51 am
0102327 BRONZE, Richmond, Quebec
1 article 0 photos 1 comment
Amazing poem!!!

AP2207 said...
on Dec. 13 2021 at 2:52 pm
AP2207, Moorsville, North Carolina
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments
I agree with the message that the poem gave because it is relatable and shows the struggles that one can face.

on Dec. 13 2021 at 2:44 pm
kshap12534431, Huntersville, North Carolina
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments
I find this poem easy to relate to because in school it is easy to think about what others think about you and not being able to fit in with the others.

ebolliger said...
on Dec. 13 2021 at 2:37 pm
ebolliger, Charlotte, North Carolina
0 articles 0 photos 3 comments
I like this poem because I can relate to it - I read all summer long and usually don't fit in easily at school, even though I get all As. My room is filled with books, floor to ceiling; they don't fit on my bookshelves anymore. I've changed schools a few times as well and know how important friends are, so I also can relate to the title.

ebolliger said...
on Dec. 13 2021 at 2:37 pm
ebolliger, Charlotte, North Carolina
0 articles 0 photos 3 comments
I like this poem because I can relate to it - I read all summer long and usually don't fit in easily at school, even though I get all As. My room is filled with books, floor to ceiling; they don't fit on my bookshelves anymore. I've changed schools a few times as well and know how important friends are, so I also can relate to the title.

GH1250 said...
on Dec. 13 2021 at 2:37 pm
GH1250, Huntersville, North Carolina
0 articles 0 photos 3 comments
I agree that all you need to better your life is a good friend who supports and understands your struggles and beliefs. I am sorry that people at school make fun of the way you look but I believe that you can find a friend.

GH1250 said...
on Dec. 13 2021 at 2:37 pm
GH1250, Huntersville, North Carolina
0 articles 0 photos 3 comments
I agree that all you need to better your life is a good friend who supports and understands your struggles and beliefs. I am sorry that people at school make fun of the way you look but I believe that you can find a friend.

on Dec. 13 2021 at 2:35 pm
zstewartreffett, Charlotte, North Carolina
0 articles 0 photos 3 comments
I really liked this poem because I think it is very relatable for teens in todays society and provides support for others struggling with feeling alone.

on Dec. 13 2021 at 2:35 pm
zstewartreffett, Charlotte, North Carolina
0 articles 0 photos 3 comments
I really liked this poem because I think it is very relatable for teens in todays society and provides support for others struggling with feeling alone.