I Built a Friend

by Monét Daley

i built a friend in golden days

to make me feel less lonely in my brain

invited her to stay, but she stays away

until the sun heads to its grave

she says “mis’ry craves the lonely”

and my shadows are where it feeds

so she’ll protect me when it finds me

and she’ll be the only one i need

i fashioned her with dying wishes

but now i’m unsure of her intentions

‘cause when i see our reflections

with the darkness, she blends right in

then she reminds me people are a joke

& everyone i love is only smoke

& neither stars or candlelight can console

the remains of my heart left cold and broke

but she promises not to let down,

sate the caliginous which devours

& hold my hand when it’s around,

keeping me warm as it surrounds

i built a friend in golden days

to make me feel less lonely in my brain

she numbed the pain while we danced in the rain

but she became the monster in my shade

Hello! My name is Monét Daley. I am originally from Mississauga. I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Ottawa completing a Bachelor of Science degree with a Biomedical Science Major. In my free time, I love to read, sing and play the guitar. I also love to put my passion for the sciences and social justice to work through the spoken word, poetry, and songwriting.