GROWING PAINS

By Clare O’Brien

Growing pains don’t go away

once puberty takes its bow 

unsure of who or what you are,

feel envy, shame, and doubt; 

you’ll still sprout pimples on your chin

wish you were a different size, f

eel your stomach twist in pretzel knots

when you and he lock eyes. 

You’ll flounder and you’ll flail a lot

you’ll fight to stay afloat 

like an anchor wearing water wings

who’s unmoored from her boat.

You’ll stumble over words at times

you’ll try hard to impress, 

not everyone will like you and

that concept brings you stress.

You’ll still feel sad sometimes, 

and sometimes rot in bed all day

beneath a sighing sun, you’ll wonder

how all the colours got so grey. But

wait it out, and soon enough the

mirror shows you’ve changed grown

into someone tall and wise and

confident and strange. 

You’re unafraid to be yourself,

not scared to take up space, 

you’re competent and worthy

even with pimples on your face.