Fifteen was
deep friendships
and deep doubts
heart-wrenching goodbyes
and learning to fit in--again
missing the Black Forest
and accepting the Chihuahuan Desert's beauty
iron bars on the windows
and tumbleweeds in the street
a new body
and new clothes
a string bikini
and first pair of heels
a major haircut
and curling-iron feathers
Lipsmackers
and Maybelline eyeliner pencils
feeling smart
and dumb at the same time
loving Algebra II
and ABBA
finding my voice
and a decent talent
singing along to "The Best of Times"
and "Don't Stop Believin'"
hoping a boy would like me
and my GPA
dancing in my bedroom
and avoiding homecoming
seemingly epic
and now, just a blip.
I love this! Weird for me to think about 15 even in my twenties. I love that there are so many similarities!
ReplyDeleteIt is weird, isn't it? Like a lifetime ago, no matter how little time has gone by. I will admit that I had to look up "hit songs of 1981" to remember what I was listening to that year, ha!
DeleteYou so captured 15 in your poem, Chris - the feeling smart and dumb at the same time, the makeup, new hairstyle - feathers!! Haven't thought of that in so long. And ABBA - how I loved them. I think, however that my favorite part is "hoping a boy would like me and my GPA." That really pierces... and so yes, it all goes like a blip, which is anything but how it feels at the time. It's such a turbulent time, and then, having to move and start over in a new place - I can feel the depth of those young emotions.
ReplyDeleteRemembering fifteen you took me there. This sounds like more than memories, they are part of you so they're still relevant. I like how you paired everything, seemingly opposite but complementary.
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