Choose (Poem 163)

You, with the complicated eyes, 

hiding in a sweater three sizes 

too big, come out and play. 

Learn how to say: Yes! 

I want   to, 

and: No. 

I'd rather   not.

Dive into your life--

the water is fresh and clear

apples are tart and crisp 

and the wind roars 

like an arctic train on a 

Pacific cliff-top in December

making your blood rush

helter-skelter through your veins.

This world is yours:

Come out and play.

Learn to say: Yes! 

I choose   this 

and: No. 

I don't choose   that. 

Learn to stand up and believe in 

what you believe--and say 

so, even when 

they don't want 

to hear. You'll be okay.

Want 

to play, want 

to work, 

to stay inside or 

slip out, maybe. It's okay 

to soak in a steaming bath 

at three o'clock 

in the morning 

     it's okay to choose 

     it's okay to want to 

okay to not want to. 

This    is yours, 

this     is the prize 

for being (re)born into this 

world where 

you 

alone 

get to 

choose.

(c) 2013, by Hannah Six