Poem for a Fourteen-year 0ld

FOURTEEN

By

Grandma Baadsgaard

Happy Birthday Matthew. You are awesome!

I’m not a boy.

I’m not a man.

Will someone please tell me

Who I am?

Food stuck in my braces

When I smile -

Teacher with a whistle

Makes me run the mile.

“Change your underwear.”

Says Mom with that look

But I frankly don’t I care

If I smell like fish on a hook

“Comb your hair, brush your teeth

Take a bath would you please

Practice piano, clean you room,

Or my patience is going to leave.”

Homework and locker combinations

Assemblies, recitals and tests

Gives me days at junior high

Without a moment to rest.

All the girls my age

Look two years older than me

How am I supposed to impress them

When all they see . . .  

My pants turn into floods

Whenever I turn around.

My voice seems to crack

Whenever I make a sound.

 Older brothers stare

Younger brother tease

When will this annoyance

Ever, ever cease?

Too old for Halloween

Not old enough to drive

How in the world

Am I supposed to survive?

Junior High is full of

 Jocks, nerds and bores

I just don’t know how

I’m supposed to soar.

Maybe I’ll just relax

And just practice being me

Cause when all is said and done

I’m content to be

Matthew the magnificent

Matthew the brave

Matthew the courageous

With a sense of humor to save

Late night video games

Lying in my hammock to sleep

Sneaking treats from the pantry

Is all I really need.

Who says you need

Nutritious food to survive

Mac and cheese serves me well

That’s all I need to thrive

You say I need

 Proper vitamins to grow.

I say life is too short to skimp on candy

When your blood sugars get low.

Someday I’ll be the dad

And surely I will say

“Stop doing that!” to my son

But today is not that day.