Poetry: Normal

I come from a large family
And the house was never empty
Quiet
Alone

And that was normal.

We all lived in the same state
And it was unusual to go more than a week
Without each other's company
Shared meals
Games
Talk

And that was normal.

I went to public school
And all my friends lived close by
So the weekends were full of sleepovers
Hangouts
Games
Laughter

And that was normal.

We all had the same classes
We all had the same teachers
Our lockers stood
Side by side
Our meals were all together

And that was normal.

And then middle school started.
And then high school started.

We all had the same classes
But the times were different
The teachers changed
Lunches were sporadic
We were lucky
If we had time

And that was normal.

But we rode the same bus
But we still spent the weekends together
But we still studied together
But we still made an effort
To have every second
Together

And that was normal.

Holidays were the most important
Everyone gave every effort
Time
Energy
Dedication
We gave it all
Willingly

And that was normal.

We loved each other
We hated each other
But life without each other?
Unimaginable
A day without each other?
Unfathomable
Hours without our inside jokes?
Dreaded above all else

And that was normal.

We were different
We were the same
We bridged our differences
Found peace in the company
Found joy in the experiences had

And that was normal.

Summers were long
Dreary
We spent the weeks together
We journeyed to the mountains
To the park
To the zoo
To the houses of our parents

And that was normal.

Time without my group?
My gang?
My friends?
My family?
My enemies?
My lovers?
My crushes?
My school mates?
My teachers?
My parents?
My siblings?
My club mates?

That would have been abnormal.

We were always together.

7am to 3pm we were together at school
3pm to 7pm we were together
Daily? Of course
On weekends we gathered at noon
Parting only when we were forced to
Usually the next day
Parents complaining

And that was normal.

Now...

High school has ended.

(Like a long happy dream
That your body is waking from
Against your strongest wishes
To stay submerged in bliss)

I could go days without seeing anyone
No one would notice my absence
For my time is varied
And everyone is too busy
To live

And that is normal.

Instead of spending 10 hours a day with everyone I know
Every day
And hearing no complaints
And feeling no regret
At wasting their time
Instead I spend two or three hours of stolen time
With one or two
Once in a while
Hearing complaints
Feeling corrupt
For wasting their time

And that is normal.

Everything that was important is not
Parties
Holidays
Birthdays
Life events

And that is normal.

I lived for these things
I hosted in fine attire
Offering a banquet
Providing quality fun
Playing games
Cards
Movies
Role play
Board games
Video games
Singing
We were always doing something
There was no uncertainty
There was no unwillingness
To have a bit of fun...
The opposite has settled in

And that is normal.

Life has gotten harder
Friendships have dwindled away
The intimacy that I used to have
Thwarted at every turn
Whatever happened to my 400 hugs a day?
The reason for the change
Is always the same
Busy

And that is normal.

I wonder what will be normal next.