In seventh grade

a girl went rappling off a cliff

into alcohol and drugs

and so simply she was gone.

I know now a different girl

who is so similar

except she is still here.

I cannot picture the girl

from seventh grade

because when I hear her name

I see the girl today.

Is it sad that someone struggling

has slipped from my fingertips

and her face has been replaced

by those who share her habits?

Is she worth nothing more

than a half-gone memory?