The End of the Fall

Seventh grade English started it all

“Memorize a poem before the end of the fall!”

Practicing and practicing, the time ticked by

I was suddenly inspired and never questioned why

Impressing my teachers, I recited it back

You’ve won a prize, here is your plaque!

I filled all my notebooks with scribbles and rhymes

I entered every contest, but lost a dozen times

But finally I did it, my time had come

I was published in a book, a poet I had become

At eleven years old, I felt prouder than most

But I still wanted more, I wasn’t even close

I grew up through my words, always inspired

So many before me were greatly admired

I dreamt of the fame and my name in lights

Signing in bookstores, reaching new heights

20 years old now, it’s a poetry obsession

Would I keep writing? There was no question.