A Place Where I Grew Up

When I think about my life,
I don't see people, places or games,
I see the books and characters that filled my life,
I see Harry Potter, Eragon, Percy Jackson,
Who where the first characters that I met on my journey.
After that, I met Jonas, who until recently,
I didn't know how important he had been.
I met Ruby, who taught me that people aren't all bad,
And introduced me to Sarah Dessen, who saved me many times,
Through all of the people in Colby.
My real journey began when I met Isabel,
A slave who was trying to break free of her chains.
My eyes opened when I met Melinda Sordino,
Who taught me that the truth is hidden deep inside,
But the people who care will search for it.
I then met Clary, Tris, Katniss and Thomas,
Who helped me through tough times,
Always there with words of wisdom.
I then met Elissa Wall, through Stolen Innocence,
The story of a teenage bride, and a polygamous sect,
Which drove me to hours of research,
On the subject of child brides.
Soon after, I met Erin Gruwell
Who taught me to put my thoughts
And feelings down on paper,
That they matter.
I then met Charlie, in Perks of Being a Wallflower,
However I did not fully understand until I met
Hannah Baker. Combined, they showed me that
People are terrible, but if you let them,
They can be your salvation.
By this point, I had already begun writing my novel,
And Insurgent, the story of Tris,
As well as A Song of Ice and Fire,
Opened my eyes to death of the characters,
And what it means to the author and the reader.
Death was a tool to use to move the plot forward,
Something I should not hesitate
To use.
This journey has brought me here,
To you.
To whom it may concern,
I grew up in worlds bigger than our own,
Not on street corners, or at the park,
But between the pages of a book,
Alongside friends I will have forever.