Chapters

I. Blood, bones, muscle, skin.

I am protons and neutrons,

atoms arranged, cells aligned perfectly,

life in its purest form.

II. Weak knees, strong lungs, soft tufts of hair.

I am new emotion, soaring free.

Ballon string between my fingers,

clenching joy in my fist.

III. Puffy eyes, a broken heart, a heavy mind.

I am changing and learning.

Muddled with confusion,

life overloaded me with stress.

IV. High heels, pores clogged with makeup, wringing hands.

I am witty remarks to friends and electric bills.

Kicked into the real world,

I picked myself up and brushed myself off.

V. Scars, wrinkles, a cedar wood cane.

I am my memories and wisdom;

A lifetime of knowledge and love

transcribed into a novel.

VI. Flowers, tears, a closed coffin funeral.

I am what you will become:

A life well lived, a hundred years

worth of recycled oxygen in the ground.