Ode to Clark (the Paper Man)

Good-bye, dear friend, who always stood tall even when others around you slumped. You never shirked responsibility. You always listened, never interrupting or speaking harsh words or bullets of sarcasm. You always greeted me with a cheery grin on your face, hand raised in friendship.
A true man for all seasons, you survived the apartment, “Oh, no, the toilet overflowed” water fight and trek in the snow to Frontier Pies.
Those were the days.
Pigtails in our hair, prom dresses with running tights and shoes, we could hardly have asked for a better date. You were willing, inviting, comfortable and safe. You stood for a lot, and while many could not see all of your amazing qualities, they knew you had character and a kind heart. Never mind that you were not quite in proportionyour creator admired you anyway.
The day came that you were rolled away, tucked up and forgotten. I missed you sorely until our joyous reunion. I didn’t want to be selfish, so I let my little sister share you with her senior English class for a creative assignment. Yet you were so underappreciated. Standing in their class, day after day after day, hardly a soul even looking at your friendly visage. Then you were torn down, crumpled to the floor and tossed in a can. Oh, the cruelty and abuse! The horror to imagine that anyone could be so heartless! Did they not know, did they not think that someone cared for you and was anxiously awaiting your safe return? You can’t be replaced. You were one-of-a-kind and the last of your breed. There can never be another Clark.

April Murdock
5.22.02