Adolescence

Adolescence:
Few worries, few hassles.
I could visit the moon
and still be home for supper.
Curfew wasn't based on two-handed clocks.
Street lights signaled my time to return,
The lighthouse to my boat.

Growing up seemed a million light years away.
My dreams of the future inspired me.
No wars, Presidential elections or Global warming
troubled my young mind.
Nor did the growing deadlines.
Life just happened.

I'd lie in the emerald grass
and bring the clouds to life.
I'd watch a movie
and dream of such a perfect love.

Sometimes mishaps troubled us greatly.
A lost pink bow. A desired toy
lingering on the store's shelf.
But in the future,
we would sail along our way
unaware of the true disasters
that awaited us.
We would long for the past,
monsters under the bed
our only trouble.

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Ashley Broussard, age 16
2008 Finalist
Duson, Louisiana
Acadiana High School (Lafayette)
Teacher: Caroline Ancelet