My best friend is different than most.

And even her parents say that's so.

Different on the inside, normal on the out, she once told me what that's about.

She was born with a disease,

that she got from her parents.

Sometimes she wishes they wouldn't have shared it.

Different on the inside, normal on the out, her blood cells are banana-shaped, instead of being round.

Her blood doesn't flow as easily you see,

not quite the same as you or me.

It often gets stuck because of its shape.

This makes oxygen arrive to body parts late.

Different on the inside, normal on the out, oxygen is important, for all organs no doubt.

The brain, the heart and kidneys too,

need oxygen to work right,

and to keep us going too.

The banana-shaped cells block many paths and doesn't let oxygen move very fast.

Different on the inside, normal on the out, sometimes this disease makes my friend pout.