Barbie and I were classmates
in sixth grade

Unlike most girls
Barbie sat
in the back of the classroom

I always wanted to talk to Her
because She was beautiful
Of course, of course
She was beautiful
She was Barbie!

Barbie had blue blue eyes
bigger and brighter
than the brightest summer skies
and gold gold hair, in ringlets
finer than the finest jewels

Barbie was the first girl
my age
with legs

To me, Barbie
was even prettier
than girls on TV

And like TV
I’d watch Her
... as She got
more intriguing than GI Joe...
... me, Her secret admirer
watching Barbie Girl
as She stared out the window
head tilted, looking so cute
long legs crossed
chewing on Her lower lip

But as I studied Barbie
better than schoolwork
I started to notice
dark blue blotches
on Barbie’s thin arms,
a blue so dark
... damn near black
... a dark
in such stark contrast to the
color of Barbie’s eyes

Then Barbie came to class
two days before Halloween
limping like a zombie
with a black eye
and Her right arm
in a white sling
and I recalled
Barbie looked so sad
and I wanted so bad, to say
Something, anything
to make Her feel better
but I didn’t have the words

And I never got a chance
to cheer Her up
because Barbie vanished from school

All these years later
in another millennium
I still don’t really have the words
but, Barbie, if You’re out there
just know
that I hope You pursued,
found happiness
whatever that is
and please know
You weren’t forgotten