To My Daughter On Your 16th Birthday

• Rato Kuuimb, Grade 10, Kirwan State High School
• Poetry
• 2013

Finalist in the 'Written in the Stars 2013' competition

There will be days when you do not want to get up.
When all you’ll want to do is Google signs of depression,
And whisper that Franz Kafta quote,
“I have powerfully assumed the negativity of my times,”
Over and over to yourself like a mantra.
Get up anyway.
Get up for the days you wake up feeling so beautiful.
You’ll kiss the sky hard,
Coming away with lips stained blue.
The sun will be jealous of your shine.
And I know today you feel like your back is breaking,
But I have spent every Sunday of the last 16 years
Whispering prayer into the base of your neck,
Holy words laced up and down your spine.
You are stronger than you know.

Happy 16th Birthday Daughter.