Bloom

• Kailyn Russ, Grade 5, Urbenville Public School
• Poetry
• 2022

3rd in the 'National Treasures 2022' competition

A magnolia seed is planted, it needs to be watered, have sunlight and air
Like a child who is growing and needs tender loving care
Pushing through the earth towards the light that shines above
The child continues growing, with an adult’s guidance and love
Because if we leave the precious seedling unattended, and alone
Like the child in who is not encouraged, eventually he will drown
But if we tend to the plant now as it grows, and stands quite tall
Like the child who becomes a teenager with those to catch him if he falls
Every so often a storm will come to strip the tree of its leaves
But the teenager who is now a man does not have time to grieve
The loss of friends, or memories of things he could have done
The risks he took, the silly pranks all in the name of fun.
For the man he is a father now, with children of his own
He has built a life for himself and made himself a home
And after all the years have passed and he nurses his newborn in the room
He looks upon that seedling, tears well as he sees it bloom.