Dear Squishy, I Love You

I only recently discovered just how popular squishy toys have become. These soft, stretchy, squeezable toys come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors, including cute animals, funny faces, and even pretend food. Kids love to squeeze them, stretch them, squish them, and watch them slowly return to their original shapes. They’re fun to play with, and squeezing them can even help some people relax or relieve stress.

When I learned how much kids love their squishies, I thought it would be fun to write a poem about someone who absolutely adores theirs. After all, a favorite toy can feel almost like a best friend, and what better way to celebrate that friendship than with an ode, a poem of praise?

But then I started thinking about something funny. When you really love a squishy, you don’t just admire it or cuddle it. You squeeze it, squash it, stretch it, twist it, and generally put it through all sorts of terrible treatment. If squishies had feelings, they might have a very different opinion of the relationship!

So I decided to write a poem in which the narrator makes one loving declaration after another, while casually admitting to some rather questionable behavior. The result is “Dear Squishy, I Love You,” a poem about a friendship that’s full of affection, even if it might not always look that way. This is…

Dear Squishy, I Love You

Dear Squishy, I love you.

(I yanked on your nose.)

I treasure our friendship.

(I stomped on your toes.)

You’re thoughtful and caring.

(I stretched out your skin.)

You’re endlessly cheerful.

(I twisted your chin.)

You never get grumpy.

(I pushed in your eyes.)

You never hold grudges.

(I mangled your thighs.)

You make me so happy.

(I pounded your ear.)

You’re one in a million.

(I sat on your rear.)

I’m lucky to have you.

(I scrunched up your cheek.)

I’ll love you forever.

(Except if you leak.)

— Kenn Nesbitt