I am 18 years old
& I am making my future,
while relishing in my past.
One step closer to the end, and one step closer to
a whole new beginning.
I am 18 years old
& yet I want to be 10 again, to be a carefree child
with not a single worry in the world,
knowing that the future was a whole world away.
I am 18 years old
& there is something due everyday,
a paper
a scholarship
an essay
a decision.
I am 18 years old
& I feel like that indecisive 15 year old,
but this time my decision is not about
waffles or pancakes.
I am 18 years old
& all I want is to spend each day with my father,
knowing that these are the last times
I will be able to come home after class and have him ask how it went.
I am 18 years old
& I am realizing that the person I am going to miss the most is my dog,
who may not be there to greet me the next time I come home.
I am 18 years old
& I cannot even fathom my life outside of my small town.
I am 18 years old
& all I want to do is sleep in MY bed one last time.
I love the way you balance this moment of moving forward and looking back. I love the line about your father and this one: "I cannot even fathom my life outside of my small town." I'm glad I heard this read out loud. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI love this. Job well done.
ReplyDeleteI really like the repetition with "I am 18 years old.." Well done.
ReplyDeleteI loved hearing this out loud. It reminds me of Natalie's poem a bit because it is about straddling the known and unknown. And you capture it beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThese poems are all about growing up and its freaking me out. I can relate to yours though. Its scary stuff! Plus I like the repetition, reminding us of your age :p
ReplyDeleteI like how this is personal yet everyone can relate to it in some way
ReplyDeleteYes, Kel! All I can think of is you reading this in class. It's a really powerful and heartfelt piece. Love it!
ReplyDelete