It’s Been a Year

I skipped into the new year
Preparing to shine on the court.
And every victory my team earned
Helped my smile grow.

A mock trial
In a real court room
Allowed my desire to become a lawyer
Blossom even more.

And then in March I resisted.
I wrote post cards,
I spoke up,
I spoke out,
I walked out.
And I walked all the way to DC
Where I marched
Alongside my family,
My peers,
And my country.

I sang with my peers on a glorious stage
In an all state choir.
And in that sea of white and black
My radiant smile shined.

The state of Virginia told me
I was ready to get my learner’s permit
And I drove for the first time,
And for many times after that.

I ran my first color run,
A 5K no less!
(And here’s thanks to the kid
Who got blue powder up my nose
Because I sneezed like a Smurf for days.)

Then I spent a summer
Crossing things off my bucket list,
Learning to bake and cook,
And having lazy pool days,
Among other adventures…

And then sophomore year rolled around
And I cut out some toxic friends,
Played some messy Twister,
And played volleyball and basketball
Because when am I not?

I saw football games
And scary movies.
I turned sixteen
And I painted my toenails for homecoming.
I watched the paint peel off,
And it peeled off slowly.

New York City and Broadway called my name;
So did the court.
I made varsity basketball
And as November came and went
I bonded with my teammates
And my friends.

Incredible travel,
Playing the game I love,
Reigniting old friendships,
Finding courage,
Falling down
And getting back up
And brushing myself off.
Daydreaming,
And creating,
And growing.
This is the year I’ve had.

It’s been a good year
And a long year.
But looking at it all
I’d take nothing back.
Not.
One.
Thing.