A Letter To Forgotten Youth

• Rosie Gately, Grade 9
• Poetry
• 2015

She swings up into sky so blue, laughing out a hasty, happy tune
Swaying legs and flying shoes "Push me Mum up to the moon"
She falls and crashes on ground that burns, she's let go much, much too soon
For this is how a carefree child learns, the scrapes and blood a battle wound.
At night she gets tucked into bed, she's read a story she thinks is true
Fairies wings shimmer within her head "Goodnight mum I love you too"
And as she dreams, her mind still yearns for journeys down forgotten trails
For this is how a creative child learns, with a brain and heart, filled with fairy tales.
Before you know, she's out the door, she's on her way to high school though
Her books lay scattered on the floor "Hurry mum, I've got to go"
She prepares for tests she has to pass; assignments that she knows are due
She has one for each and every class, "Go away mum, I don't need you."
She leaves the test with great concern; they'll criticise every pen mark and letter
For this is how a young lady learns, all the same she feels no better
She sits upon a swing too small, all alone and all so blue
She hears a bird's sweet, sad call, "I'm sorry mum, I just miss you."
Her memories, they all return, they're painful, sharp and fast
For this is how a woman learns, with all her focus in the past.