The Cedarville Review 2018

30 THE CEDARVILLE REVIEW Poetry by Rebekah Erway LONELINESS I first met him in the elementary lunchroom When I sat on the red bench, looked down, My feet not touching the linoleum. He sat beside me. “The other kids are talking.” “I know,” I said. And he was silent. And so was I. He came again to Camp Bayouca When I looked at the blue bunk beds, My two backpacks at my feet. He stood beside me. “Everyone else chose a bunk-mate.” “I know,” I said. And he was silent. And so was I.