like air, i rise

8/3/2019 Like Air, I Rise

1/42

E. Joyce Moore

POETIC THOUGHTS FOR TEENS AND TWEENS


2/42

Sometimes at school there are girls who make fun of others girls

just because they think that they can. Every time they do this I pray

for them. Sometimes, I even say something to them. They get mad

and make fun of me, too. But I dont care because, like air, I rise.

All people can be mean sometimes, but not always. The Bible says

that you should treat others with respect, and the way you want to be

treated. God loves us even through bad things. Thats just it aboutGod.

Jourdan A. Toliver

Age 10

LIKE AIR, I RISE

E. Joyce Moore

2011 All rights reserved


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LIKE AIR, I RISE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Becoming 3Love is Fair 4The First Time 5Lina Lua 6Loving 7Missed Me 8Haikus: Friendship/Peace/Truly 9Haikus: Love Is/Listen/Some Days 10Haikus: Just Talk/Growing/Nobodys Perfect 11Haikus: True Reflections/Listen/Sweet Morning 12Lies 13Gone 14Reflections of a Love Affair 15Got Game 16What Matters 17This Aint You 18Speak 19Crushin 20Cant Wait 21Dont Make You About Me 23Time 24Missed Understandings 25Sad 26One Minute 27First Love 29Finding You 30The One (him) 31The One (her) 32Pathways 33Time Comes 34In The Mirror 35Seasons 36The Passage 37


4/42

BECOMING

Time takes wings and flies, baby girls do grow up

But not too quickly, holding on to their sweet innocence

Occasionally trading the Ipod for snuggles with Mommy

Yet in the genesis of defining who she is

While gazing selectively at the renderings of her self

Proffered by those more comfortable with sameness.

Knowing already that she alone gets to choose.

Still in love with her dolls and animals stuffed

Playing games, riding roller coasters

Or running across the field with the neighbors dog

Curious still about what makes life, what means love.

Old enough to know of lifes twists and turns, yet

Young enough to only peer around its corners.That is what comes quickly, when

A lovely little girl becomes ten.


5/42

LOVE IS FAIR

Its not fair.

Often thought when perched on a bedOf disappointmentWhile others seem to transcend to another levelLeaving you behindMom said you cant goWhile it all seems excitingYou really dont knowWhat youre asking forUntil you get it

You feel cheated.Its not trueYet you do.Even thoughDeep down insideYoure relievedSorry, youre not old enough yetHer, knowing whats around the corner you want to turnYou, not knowing that there are corners of life you have yet to learn

As impatience in you does a slow burnIts not fair.But at least you knowShe cares.


6/42

THE FIRST TIME

Im not sorry I saved it.The one thingI kept for myself.That which wasImportant to others,just the taking,More importantfor me alone to keep.Its a part of me.

Its precious.Its mine.I choose its giving.


7/42

LINA LUNA

A star afraid of shiningA beautiful flowerPetals of a velvet hueHidden from the morning dew

One whose view in lifes mirrorIf seen through all other eyesWould discover her wingsthat were always thereand fly.


8/42

LOVINGTo Mom and Dad

As an outsider looking inwhat I like most is the warmthof a love still growing.That smile in your eyes as you speakof yet another token of an immeasurable lovehe offered you today.How your eyes light upwith prideAs you enlighten me;Because you really do know herAndExplain why you would never want toredesignundermineredefinethe who that she isbecause she was doing just fine before you got there.Its the way youReach back to help each otherAs you climb the mountain of life.Your lives are so richwith what you bringto the same table.Kings and Queensof material thingsare but envious paupers.Thank you for showing meWhat true loving looks like.


9/42

MISSED ME

You dont get me

Which is why our words

fly past each other

Missing the point of understanding.

A part of me dies

Every time I complyAnd give in to your lies

About who Im supposed to be.

Whats you is not me.

See, I will not rise to your occasion.

But I will rise

And you dont get me.

The worst thing about beinglied to, is simply knowing you weren't worth the truth.Unknown


10/42

FRIENDSHIP

Unrestricted wordsflow between us, as does timeFor we are good friends.

PEACE

Peace flows to quietCalming the storms from within.

Just by forgiving.

TRULY

You can breathe easyPerfections not requiredWhen youre truly loved.


11/42

LOVE IS..

Non-transferableThe love I receive is mineNo one else gets it.

LISTEN

You know a whole lotBut if you listen to me

Youll know who I am.

SOME DAYS

Some days, the skys greenThe grass is blue, day is night.You cant change my mind.


12/42

JUST TALK

Its no disrespectWhen I tell you what I thinkWorry when Im silent.

GROWING

I am growing upTrying to figure it outI know, scares me too.

NOBODYS PERFECT

Everyones wrong sometimesCause nobodys perfect. Right?Just dont lie to me.


13/42

TRUE REFLECTIONS

What comes from withinis the true reflection ofwhat true beauty looks like

LISTEN

No matter the painListen to your inner voice.God guides you through it.

SWEET MORNING

Dawn brings a new dayIn the quiet moments newly bornYou smile at your self.


14/42

LIES

You'll miss the good stuff

just by not telling the truth.

funny how that works.


15/42

GONE

Grownups make choicesThat you have no voice in.What you see to feelIs what they can fail to see.

The leavingis NOT a reflectionora rejectionof you.


16/42

REFLECTIONS OF A LOVE AFFAIR

To Mom and Dad

The reflection is a truth

undeniably clear

His eyes light up

when you walk into the room.

There is a sleepy smile for you

when she wakes to another day.

She can't wait to tell you what her opinions are

He looks forward to telling you what his day turned out to be.

Snuggling with you on the couch is an option oft used.

And she feels safe telling you everything

trusting that you have her heart/ even when you don't agree.He knows that he can risk failure while trying new things

because you have his back, and will not be disappointed.

you give her courage to define herself

you give him freedom to know how to choose

A true love affair

Where the only perfection you expect is that she is perfectly happy and

the only way he can please you is to learn how to be pleased with himself.

The ultimate love affaironly a child can understand/only a parent has the power to give.

So that every look into your eyes

Loves truth resonates as no surprise

For they become the reflection in the mirror of your parenthood.

Do you see yourself?


17/42

GOT GAME

Whos right? Whos wrong?What does it matterEach day goes by

As you get sadder

Who is the winnerWhen all is lostYou play the gameBut at what cost?

You win the game.But lose your self.

To prove you could?Thats it? What else?

Takes much more courageTo stop and sayThis costs too much,I will not play.


18/42

WHAT MATTERS

Time spreads its gossamer wingsAnd flies along its singular passageWe are but passengers aboard its flightWhat truly mattersare the memories we leave behind

with the legacy only we can define.Dance to your own music.Laugh at your own silly self.Sing with your own voice.Time spreads its gossamer wingsAnd flies along its singular passageWe are but passengers aboard its flight.


19/42

THIS AINT YOU

In a perfected worldWhere Daddies are FathersAnd

Mommies would MotherWithout verbal weaponsThey turn on each otherYou wouldnt have tofeel like you do.

Fearful and confused.

Know its not your fault

Nor what you can fix.Its a wave you cant catchYou just have to ride through itYet it still hurts.I know, you do.But you cant makethem about you


20/42

Maggie Kuhn


21/42

CRUSHIN

Missed glancesCrooked smilesGiggles with friendsPushes and runsHe did it again!When he looks your wayIt tickles your tummyKinda like you just twigged

That these saplings are nascentTheir aging takes timeYouths minutes abundantWhy yes, youre allShy and blushinBut its not loveIts just crushin

That awkward moment when you realize you like your best friend.Patrick Lang


22/42

CANT WAIT

Just wait til Im ten!

A magic number

A mystery to behold

Age of double digits

A wondrous place Im told.

But I did turn ten

And then

Im just one more year old.

But then Ill be thirteen

No longer called a tweenAnd almost practically somewhat grown

Im thinkin theres some things

I can do all on my own

But then again there are some days

More often Ill admit

I like to snuggle with my Mom

Im lucky, I still fit.

Cant wait til Im sixteen

It couldnt get here soon enough

Twas tougher than I thought

To live life as a teenager

Isnt all that its cracked up.

Being sixteen

My lifelong dream

Now I can drive the carWhats that you say?

I cant just play?

You need stuff from the store?

Finally, Im eighteen

I made it; now (I think) Im grown

Funny though

Im not quite sure

About being on my own.


23/42

Even when at college

And everything is new

Ill have to say

Im glad that they

Are a call away.

Yes, they know what to do.

And now at twenty one

Getting olders not so fun.

Though Im intrigued by one known fact:

My parents are not dumb.

In fact, theyre pretty smart.

Funny how that all works out

I knew though, in my heart.

In spite of the fuss

I thought them unjust

I realize now

They were looking outFor me and for my future

The things I used to pout about

Werent even worth the effort.

And one more thing Ill tell you

This is the truth of it

Although Im grown

When I go home

I still snuggle

I still fit.


24/42

DONT MAKE YOU ABOUT METo all frenemies

Don't make you about me.I am not the salve(o)You cast upon your problemsAs you deflectTo protectYour self from yourselfYour hallelujahs and praiseHave a hollow ringAs I struggleTo pull your bloody knifeOut of my back.I am notthe con you pulled on yourselfConvinced that youve changedWhen all you did was rearrange the furniture.Dont make me about you.I am not the oneYou retrofit your perceptions ofInto someone elses realityIn justification of your loss.Not at my cost.I will not be your collateral damageMy kindness is not my weaknessAnd you do notDefine me.


25/42

TIME

Just give me a minute.

I know you want the best for me

But I cant be who you werent

I am not the amendment of your past

Mistakes

are made by everyone

And I will make mine.

Just give me a moment

To think things through

I need to decide

The path I will take

Let this small decision

Be the choice I make

Just give me some time

When I ask you for it

And I will, I have questions

And even if you dont

have the answers

I know you will listen

Arms open wide

Heart and mind too

This is what I need

From the mother in you.

(And yes, from you, Dad, too.)


26/42

MISSED UNDERSTANDINGS

doors slammed.we speak past each otherin a phrenic whirl of wordsand no one wins.You hurt, I hurt.Words hurt.Whos the adult here?Im becoming one

Is this how its done?we are in a funny place.both needing respectneither getting what we deserveor perhaps we are.You hurt, I hurt.Words hurt.Whos the child?

I need morethan because I said sowhich worked when I was tennow Im reaching out for real answersthough you thinkIm walking away, leaving you.You hurt, I hurt.Words hurt.Who will bend?

maybe, maybe we can meet in the middleand listen.


27/42

SAD

Wearing a shroud of melancholy

I sit by the window

Watching life pass me by

Its hard to disbelieve

That one can justpull your self up

with the straps of your boots

and get on with it.

Closed doors

Dark room

Loud music

Aloneness

Im hoping youll be thereWhen Im ready

To ask for help

Or to help me

When I cant.


28/42

ONE MINUTE

Be me for one minute

Walk in my shoes

See life through my eyes

From my point of view.

Just for one minute

See how I see you

Feel what I feel

Hurt like I do.


See you through my eyes

Hear your betrayalWhen you tell me your lies.


If you felt all your hate

Would it change how you treat me?

Or is it too late?


You be your child

And show how I love you

How I wait for your smile


29/42


Look at you through my eyes

Through the eyes of your child

Will my cries be your cries?


Hear you call me a name.

And you dont even know me.

Yet say Im to blame.


If you were me

And saw you through my eyesWould it change who youd be?


Walk in my shoes

See life through my eyes

From my point of view.

Just for one minute

See how I see you

Feel what I feel

Hurt like I do.


30/42

FIRST LOVE

Your eyes meet

He seems sweet

soon youre good friends

And one day something changes

He sees you girlwoman

You see him boyman

And time stops.

Or so it seems

Is he the boyman of your dreams?

When youre this young

Dreams can fall apart

Hes changing, youre changing

And one day something changes

With time, youll be back where you start.

As good friends.First loves dont leave your heart.

"One of the hardest decisions you will ever have tomake, is whether to stay and try harder, or take your

memories and walk away. Why waste your time gettinghurt by someone when there's someone else out therewaiting to make you happy."

-- BoothatshowIam from Twitter


31/42

FINDING YOU

Its hard, growing upYou just want to fit inYou dont want to stand outOr start over again

Its hard, growing upTrying to make some friends

Hoping people will like youSo you start to bend

So you start to bendChange your clothes, cut your hairChange your mind, change your heartYou pretend you dont care

So you start to bend

Before long you breakLosing you in the mazeIts a risk that you take

Its a risk that you takeWhen you stand on your ownYou decide to do youAnd at first youre alone

Its a risk that you takeBut at last in the endWhen youre true to your selfYou will find some real friends.


32/42

Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who

calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie

under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay

awake just to watch you sleep.

Wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants

to show you off to the world when you are in sweats,

who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks

you're just as pretty without makeup on.

One who is constantly reminding you of how much he

cares and how lucky his is to have you....

The one who turns to his friends and says, 'That's her.

Harry Tottszer, Australia


33/42

Find a girl with kind eyes. Who wont tell you lies. Who likeswho you are, and is only interested in what you do. Wait forthe girl who likes that you write poetry, think deeply, and thatyou open the door for her when she gets in the car. Get withthe girl who likes games only if theyre played on a football fieldor computer and never with your heart.

Shed be the one who wants to be with you, not needing to bewith you. She thinks drama belongs on the movie screen and

doesnt aspire to a reality show life. She likes that youre smartand have a good heart. But she doesnt take crap from youeither, which you respect. Go with that girl who accepts all ofwho you are and has no plans to change you into someoneshes imagined you should be.

Someone whos just fine with a kiss on the cheek on a sunnyday and points you out in the library saying, Im with him.


34/42


35/42

TIME COMES

Its okay to grieve.Any losslife, love, who left, or even if you had to goHurts.We are all but a mistof common destinyhaving but a momentto make our mark.

Its okay to cry.Parents arent perfectShe made you madby what she chose to say or do.And well, sometimes your choicesmade her mad too.But you loved each other.and forgave.Its okay to be angry.

Because life is seemingly unfairwhen the time givenseems never enoughalthough we know within ourselvesHE knows when to say when.Its okay to cry.Smiles will comeAnd a chuckle or twowhen memories

outlive the painof letting go.And it will be okay to laugh again.and even thenIts okay to cry.


36/42

IN THE MIRROR

Wondering why

when my little girlthick hair full of curlslooks into the mirrorand does not seewhat she is repeatedly tolddefines true beautyand asks meif her eyes canbe colored blue

makes me mad.we have all been had.

As we dye our hair allshades of blondeor slap a wig ontrying to pretendthat no one will noticethat our skin is brown.

Who's the fool?

Is it 'cause we seeblack menmore than oneacting like they wonwith a womanthey wouldn't give the time of dayif her skin had a permanent tan.So I am going to

take a stand and eliminate thosewho peddle whateverand deliver the ideathat I am less thanthey are more andhelp my princess learn todefine herself from withinand appreciatewithout permissionthe beautiful girl

in the mirror.


37/42

SEASONS

So it seemsEach of us rush timeAlways thinking of the next eraSearching for the secretsOf lifes changing libretto

Never once stopping to ownSeconds of happiness, moments of bliss


38/42

THE PASSAGE

A challenging and wondrous journey.

Sometimes confusing when you cant decideTo play a new CD

Or with your doll thats sitting

Crumpled in a corner with an expectant eye on you

Knowing that youll be back

Because we always come back.

Sometimes it makes you angry

When you believe youre grown enough

To go there with them,

though youve never been

If not now, when?

But parents can see around the corner of that desire

That you aspire to.

Theyve been there, done that and want to save you the trouble.

At least while they can.

Its hard.

A moments decision can change everything

When in doubt dont

or say you will

When you know you wont.

When Im sixteen, Ill

Boys whistle, cat calls, mean girls

A kiss stolen.A heart broken.

Never be sorry you saved that part of yourself

That you alone hold in your power

You owe him nothing.

You never did.


39/42

All we want to do is fit in

But then again

Do you really want to be defined

By sameness?

There is no perfect after all

But this you can decide

The who that you want to be

You choose

No one else wears your shoesThen find out how best to get to her

Knowing the shortest distance between two points

Is a straight line

From which you will stray.

Because youre curious about whats over there.

And thats okay

You will trip

You may fallYour tears flow

But you will get up

After all,

you know who you want to be

See...


40/42

It aint easy bein greenWhen youre a tween

Or a teen

Yes, there will always be a test.

Most times its not about the grade

But how you got to the answer.

As you journey this life passage

Relations change, yet remain the same

When little no longer defines you

Yet grown aint what you are,

You have a role in the outcome.

You want to be respected

You have to respect

You want to be trusted

Keep your word

And lies in check

Your actions speak louder than your words

If you want to be heard

Thats how grown folk listenor they should.

And those younger are watching too.

Dont forget them

Or leave them behind

They look up to you.


41/42

A rite of passage has comeIts you who chooses

You have all power

To make it a trial by fire

Where someone gets burned

Or a wondrous journey

Full of lessons youve learned

Including sometimes what not to do

By watching those who are older than you.Just wait til Im eighteen

Moms will always be Moms,

Dads will always be Dads,

But suddenly theyre smarter

And their opinions? Not so bad

Funny how that works.

A right of passage

Comes with time

Responsibility/no response to be

Missed takes/ mistakes

Curiosity taking a cat life

Independence/Dependence

Oxymorons/morons proxies

And sometimes you just want

To play with your dolls.And you can.


42/42

Be the change you want to see in the world. Mahatma Gandhi

like air, i rise

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