On Turning Twelve

• Andrew Winfield, Grade 6
• Poetry
• 2018

I always dived to catch the ball,
it wasn’t very far to fall.
the skinned-knee pride, devoid of tears,
I only heard my school mate's cheers.

As I grow older, I have found
that I begin to fear the ground:
friends and family drift apart;
my grandpa's grave; a broken heart.

When turning twelve it's hard to choose,
each year brings something else to lose,
and changes, I cannot control:
my body; friends; my school; my soul.

I hope one time before I change
I see the ball come back in range
and feel my childhood come alive,
in one last strong and reckless dive.