All Nonfiction
- Bullying
- Books
- Academic
- Author Interviews
- Celebrity interviews
- College Articles
- College Essays
- Educator of the Year
- Heroes
- Interviews
- Memoir
- Personal Experience
- Sports
- Travel & Culture
All Opinions
- Bullying
- Current Events / Politics
- Discrimination
- Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking
- Entertainment / Celebrities
- Environment
- Love / Relationships
- Movies / Music / TV
- Pop Culture / Trends
- School / College
- Social Issues / Civics
- Spirituality / Religion
- Sports / Hobbies
All Hot Topics
- Bullying
- Community Service
- Environment
- Health
- Letters to the Editor
- Pride & Prejudice
- What Matters
- Back
Summer Guide
- Program Links
- Program Reviews
- Back
College Guide
- College Links
- College Reviews
- College Essays
- College Articles
- Back
Grow Up
her laughter floats through the air as she swings back and forth
the swing is attached to one of your lower branches
its ropes are still brilliantly white, being brand new to this world
the young girl swings higher, but not too high
before she can reach that danger, she jumps, letting go and flying down to safety
her bare feet meet the perfectly green grass that blankets your roots, her toes digging into the soft earth
light filters through you, your leaves casting shadows on the ground
the leaves dance cheerfully in the breeze, and the girl is delighted along with you
she skips and spins, joining you in your joyous dance
your sweet smell beckons her closer, and she runs to you, her hands finding your trunk
she does not care about the stickiness of your sap that clings excitedly to her fingers
she reaches a hand upwards, and she starts to climb towards the sky
your rough bark scratches at her skin, but it’s okay
the callouses will prepare her for the combat of living in the harsh world that she has yet to see
she climbs, higher and higher, until the real world below seems to disappear
I walk up to you,
Again,
For the first time in years.
The grass surrounding you
Is brown and
Faded with time.
Your roots have burst from
The broken earth at your base.
Wind pushes at you, and
You creak as you sway,
Back and forth,
Threatening to crumble
Underneath your own existence.
I glance upwards.
Your branches are bare,
Your leaves
Gone with time.
On one of your branches,
A small strand of rope hangs
Blowing aimlessly in the wind.
It doesn’t hold anything anymore.
Its white threads have
Darkened with time.
I step forwards,
Your rotten odor
Filling my nostrils.
I place a hand on your side.
Your bark doesn’t hurt my hands
Like it did when
I first met you as a child.
I guess you did prepare me,
After all.
Similar Articles
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
This article has 0 comments.
Concrete Image Poem, 2018