You are far from childhood
and even farther from adulthood.
You can stand tall above what
you once were,
but you cower below what’s ahead of you.

Locks of chocolate hair will fall to the floor
as you snip away at your youth,
though it’s still growing at the roots;
you’ll have to touch up
every month
(or so).

Once upon a time
your stomach bounced up and down
like a little happy earthquake
when you giggled, but
now you’ll keep your body still
because God forbid anyone
knows you even have a stomach.

But I stand corrected,
for there is no God in
the world of teenagers;
their Bible is comprised
of snide notes scribbled on
math homework,
its verses are composed
of three-character text-speak, and
its psalms are clipped articles
from gossip magazines.

Just hold on tight, my friend,
just have faith,
it will all be over
sooner or later.