Once Was,

• Jasmin Avard, Grade 8
• Poetry
• 2022

Fourteen never used to seem so depressing,
The kids who often are labeled quite or strange.
ones who still let themselves be childish.
don’t wear the strings of cloth, that is relabeled shirts.
Aren’t getting the silly haircuts that truly make them look bad.
One of the teenagers who generally, stays out of trouble.
They might be as bright as a star, or as sharp as a feather.
But they still try, and even if they go home empty handed. they still are proud.
That’s what it once was like, sounds like a fairy tale to us now.
Its all about impressing everyone with drugs and alcohol,
Getting in trouble, treating their teacher, parents and friends
Like they don’t mean anything more to them than 5 cents.
They never where like this. They turn into such monsters,
they once where that strange and quite kid.
But things happen,
this world has gone cold. This time, sadly nothing can fix it.