The Turn of Thirteen

i wish i could’ve met you sooner

lanky arms and legs

proportions not quite there

with frizzy hair and crooked teeth

only just turned thirteen

we’d philosophize on the important questions

like why parents don’t seem to understand

and how hard you’d have to push to go all the way around the swing set

we would be

late april nights in my khaki shorts

and your graphic tee

our converse kicking up dirt and our nails filthy

from climbing trees

only to sneak a kiss on the top branch

in hopes that my mom wouldn’t see

you’d hold my hand when no one was looking

and i would write s****y poems about you

not unlike this one

you’d burn a CD of all the songs that reminded you of me

and i would have every lyric memorized

and memorialized in sharpie on my wrists

we’d be there for each other

through the heartbreaks and bad grades

standing by your locker after fourth period

you dropping me off at home

only to follow me to the door

you’d be waiting for me at the finish line

graduation

where you’d sign my yearbook

with all our inside jokes

but all that never happened

and i yearn to hear about the girls you did meet

right when you turned thirteen

the glint in your eyes

reminiscing scraped knees and bike rides

as if i was there with you

when your mom called you inside for dinner

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I like this poem. I like the wanting to know the innocence times and years. You create situation of youth and simple days. Holding hands and secret letters. The sweetest days of our youth. Thank you Meg for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote