@15

a contest entry

When you turn fifteen,

You have to grow up

Not by height but by wisdom.

 

Learn to choose your friends,

Not only rely on one friend

Who can betray you.

 

Try to be loyal to the nice friend’

You have been talking about

All day long.

 

Learn to mingle well,

So nobody will call you a geek,

A “walking encyclopedia” is even worse.

 

Don’t disobey dad and mom,

They just want the best for you,

So love and cherish them.

 

It is okay to admire someone,

Make sure he is a nice guy,

And not someone who will hurt you.

 

Don’t fall in love too easily,

Enjoy the time that you are still young,

There are lots of fishes in the sea.

 

Dream high,

Aim for something better,

Aim for a brighter future.

Reviews

[Jimmy Yetts]

Sage advice.
Very nicely expressed, Sette!

[sette]

thanks my friend for the nice review

[Chris Shaw]

All good advice, but at 15 they will do what they think best not what we think is best for them. When they are older they will learn that they made mistakes.

Chris

[sette]

totally true chris

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

This is a great poem with lots of good advice in your letter to younger self thanks for entering my contest

[sette]

you are welcome julie

[Gee]

I personally think we heap to much pressure on kids to grow up. Childhood is far to brief, adulthood can weigh far to heavily on the mind and soul.

[sette]

yes that is so true

[Wild Rose]

All sound advice specially :
Don't fall in love too easily - yes lots of other fish in the sea
Aim High (and don't loose sight of your aim) > raise the bar as you go along

Most of all enjoy life

[sette]

that i agree with you my friend

[barleygirl]

Your prescription for “growing up” is quite different from what I experienced. Sometimes I wish someone would’ve given me some directions like this, but in the end, I’m glad I grew up wild like a weed. I understand most of your advice & some of it I love – especially stanzas 3, 7 & 8. But I disagree with stanza 4. Some of us are geeks & in today’s world of technology this is common & acceptable. I remember when being smart was something to hide, but not anymore. I would never advise a young person to dampen anything that comes naturally. Still, I understand what you’re saying & lots of people see things this way (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[sette]

hugs back margie for a very insightful and wonderful review

[Norman 223]

Sound advice that used to work once. Now so many kids are influenced by the "rebel" media and disinterested parents, that they become their own worst enemies.
Self discipline is cultivated and, as you have shown in this piece, does not have to equate with harshness.

[sette]

i agree with that norman it is indeed a trait that we have to practiced on our kids

[Coyote Poetry]

Great wisdom shared and I agree.
"Dream high,
Aim for something better,
Aim for a brighter future."
Powerful and worthwhile shared dear friend.
Coyote

[sette]

yes friend thanks for the appreciation

[Coyote Poetry]

Good words shared my fiend. I liked them.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I can't remember being fifteen...I'm certain that I was once but the age didn't lend itself apparently to much nostalgia. I was probably up late watching Don Kirshner's Rock Concert or The Midnight Special. I do revisit the music of the time quite often. I never learned the art of "mingling" and still don't. My friends have been few but those few have lasted a lifetime. I do like your outlook on the prospect of coming of age presented here. It shows some sound thinking on your part. Bless.

[sette]

thanks my friend for the wonderful insights and review

[lightsong]

and how simply, sweetly... You've reached into this Young heart, I'm not so sure if they will stick into Your wise words since they are the "wild" ones specially the disobeying thing lol, but we hope at least that they will consider the words here. I wish You the very best in the contest.

[sette]

thank you my friend for the wonderful review and the appreciation