#DearType1

Dear Type 1,

First time that I heard your name

I didn’t understand

Everything you’d do to me

The needle in my hand

I braced myself and winced

As I jabbed it in my thigh

Hands and breaths were shaky

But still, I didn’t cry

A chorus of “I’m sorries”

Stuck to me like glue

Mourning all I’d lost that day

The life I thought I knew

First time I went low

I was playing with my friend

Sweaty, shaky, terrified

I thought it was the end

You’re evil, sick, horrible

Cruel in every way

Forcing kids to consider that

It might be their last day

I had a picture in my head

Of what my life would be

But the hell I’m living

Is nothing like my dream

Everything is different now

From how it was before

Didn’t ask for my permission

Before kicking down my door

You took so much, everything

But let me draw the line

You can’t have my love for life

That, at least, is mine

Sincerely,

Anne Pettigrew