I

started 2016

scared and laughing

I pulled the string of a noisemaker in the quiet of my room

startled myself with the flash of smoke and laughed at how stupid I was

when the boy who broke my heart on New Year’s Eve

broke it again before the Fourth of July-

I

faced 2016

bleeding and grinning

I learned to check the brakes and tires before I set off on my way

picked myself up with a brush of my skin and smiled at how lucky I was

when the brakes failed and I started running

and the neighbors stared as I flew by-

I

hit 2016

angry and proud

I found chaotic beauty in the order and if I had to find it by

kicking through some walls, by breaking some rules, then look at me and ask me how right I was

when the tower rose and I started climbing

when the princess in the castle no longer would stand by-

I