we were never like 

sisters, never close 

enough to fight without 

fear

but close enough to talk through 

yawns at two in the morning when 

yes, we know we have an english 

test tomorrow, and no, our 

conversation isn’t groundbreaking

but it’s important and it 

can’t 

wait 

four 

hours

I miss being close to her 

music, played 

underneath conversations about forgotten 

homework and crappy teachers

I miss the comments on Instagram 

posts and the random “can I 

call you?” 

more than anything I miss feeling physically 

close, next to each other on the 

couch laughing at cringy lines and roller 

skating on a blocked off 

street, sweaty and happy when we’re back 

Baltimore Beat is running poems from participants in the group Writers in Baltimore Schools, which offers programming that builds skills in literacy and communication while creating a community of support for young writers.