Seventeen

The clock has struck

and now I feel

a burst of sensations

shooting from within.

Smiling, thankful, joyous.

I am far from that

bubbly thirteen year old

or angsty fifteen.

No,

I have settled with

this persona

quite amicably.

It's queer-

being older,

as though you have locked

your younger self away

or tweaked how

you are perceived

ever so slightly

but with vastly different responses.

No- sixteen is far too young,

too innocent,

too foolish,

but seventeen is just right

Here, let me take you

to those places

where a day ago

you were unacceptable.

Let me tell you some secrets

for you are now mature

unlike that naive sixteen.

Oh, how big a leap it is!

An odd feeling, indeed.

Nevertheless, i'm getting

a bit used to it

somehow.

I look to the future

with wide eyes

and to the past

with crinkled ones.

Yes, these experiences

I shan't let go of

that my past selves

may live through me.

For I will always remember

Fourteen's vanity,

Fifteen's sweetness;

Even Twelve's unkindness.

And may I someday

look back on this moment

with fondness.

Thank you for this day!

And thank you for the days to come!

XOXO

Bea