(untitled)
looking up at cold sunlight
gives the idea of warmth in my backyard
my dog squats to pee because he can no longer lift up his right leg
as if to say,
“I’m surprised that I’m old, too”
ten years and spring doesn’t get warmer but my anticipation mounts each round
I saw a photo of my parents from when I was very little
and I cried because I didn’t realize how young they were
we stand in dew and silence
I’ve always want to ask the seasons how change feels
and now I see flowers pushing and shoving and fighting to be seen on bare branches
I know they would say it hurts like hell
—By Zoe L., 17, California