Growth

Growth was never just a physical thing.

It was never just about who had the greatest height,
About who's head was so close to the sun it nearly set alight,
About who had the advantage in leapfrog games,
And who, because they were different, and taller, felt shame.

I could go on like this, but I'm not going to.

Because although growing that way isn't a bad thing to do,
Its not the main avenue I would chose to pursue.
And I'll tell you, as brief and quickly as possibly I can,
'Cause I know people as important as you don't want to have to listen to a lecture from this idealistic young man.

So here goes.

I want to apologise, when I've done something wrong,
To realise and recognise that I'm weak as well as strong,
To accept that I might not achieve every opportunity under the sky,
But to also accept that's no reason not to try.
To try to talk and understand other points of view, not just shout and curse,
To understand that there's none better than me, but also none worse,
To never let apathy get in the way of doing what I believe to be right,
And in my quest to help others, to never give up this fight.

But hey, that's just me. I'm probably wrong. And I swear, I'll try to admit it when I am.

Just please don't ask me to grow up.

I'm already trying my best.

***

I'm trying to archive all my pre-2013 poems (in 2025). I'm glad to still have this one, because it my first ever published poem! I hope I still have the booklet somewhere. Written in a lunchtime and my first ever submission (an acceptance rate which would *not* continue), it also led to me being involved with the Oxfam group for around a year or so.