~ It’s an odd feeling wanting to be understood in an intimate way but at the same time wanting the freedom of being a mystery. Thus, here you have my words, but not my face.

Daisy

You are 20. Your room is lilac purple with white accents. Your bed is small and has been around since before you were born. There are Little Einstein stickers on your dresser from when you were six. You have a kiddy bedside table painted to make the tabletop look like a pond. There is a white bookshelf that holds your picture books.

Daisy the Koala sits on a high shelf in your room with your other four Build-a-Bears, her “sisters”.

You learned about koalas during the 13 years you had Daisy.

At some point you’ll realize that you don’t really like koalas. 

They really are quite stupid animals. It’s a wonder that they’ve survived for so long. 

They only eat eucalyptus leaves, which are very low in nutrients. They also sleep between 18 to 22 hours a day because eating eucalyptus doesn’t do much for them. Yet that is ALL they eat. They also can’t recognize eucalyptus leaves unless they’re on a branch. Put it on a plate, and it won’t recognize the only food it eats.

To make your disappointment in the animals even worse, chlamydia runs rampant through their population. Yep. Chlamydia. 

But that’s besides the point. Daisy is not a real koala, though she is in the shape of one.

You were 7. Your first Build-a-Bear is a Koala named Daisy. She says she loves you when you press her arm. You made a wish and put her heart in her chest yourself. You beg your mom to buy clothes for her every time you go to the mall. When not being played with, she sits on a high shelf in your room.

You were 8. You were 9. You were 10. You were 11. You’ve collected four more Build-a-Bears and realize that you like her “sisters” better than Daisy. You’ve realized that the thick white fur around her neck just doesn’t work with all the outfits you have. However, you don’t say this out loud. You’ve watched Toy Story and are afraid of hurting her feelings.

You were 12. Daisy doesn’t tell you that she loves you when you press her arm anymore. You wonder if she knew she was no longer the favorite.

You were 15. You remember Toy Story and passively wonder if Daisy is nervous. Many of your plushies have been banished to the basement. Only a few remain in your room. Daisy and her four “sisters” have their place on the top shelf. But for how long? You only play with them when your little cousin is around.

You were 18. You’ve gone away to college. You say goodbye to your family. You say goodbye to your friends. You don’t say goodbye to Daisy. Last time you touched her was when you cleaned your room. However, you let her keep her place on the shelf with her sisters.

You are 20. Your bedroom is being remodelled. Your room is still lilac purple with white accents. That was a part of your room you still liked. Your bed is big and has only been around for a couple of weeks. There are no Little Einstein stickers on your dresser. They have finally been removed. You have a white bedside table that is tall and has a drawer. There is a white bookshelf that holds your new adult novels.

Daisy the Koala sits on a high shelf in your room with your other four Build-a-Bears, her “sisters”.

You are 20. You’ve watched Toy Story again and you aren’t sure if you want to give up Daisy. You stop cleaning and stare at Daisy. Your complete adoration is long gone, but you feel nostalgia and a gentle affection. You shrug your shoulders and continue cleaning.

You are 20. You can decide in another year.

With this, the “Known Unknown” collection is complete. I hope you’ve enjoyed these poems and short stories.