I remember when I wore neon yellows,
And bright, eye-burning oranges.
Long, colorful beaded necklaces fell all the way to my hips,
And Lip Smackers greased my lips.
I remember when twenty books would come in thick, brown paper packages,
And I would sit like a dog in my lobby waiting for their arrival.
Glasses sat on my face,
Velcro sneakers on my feet.
I remember when we dipped my Polly Pockets into Jello chocolate pudding,
And tore apart Ty Girlz.
I remember when I didn’t care what anyone else thought,
And I could say freely what I wanted to.
I wish I could still wear neon yellows,
I wish I could walk into school wearing glasses and Velcro sneakers.
I would if I could.
Now I wear grays and blues and blacks,
No more eye-burning oranges.
Henri Bendel necklaces fall right above my collarbone,
And now Philosophy sits atop my lips.
Now all the Baby Sitters Club books sit abandoned on a bookshelf.
Glasses are long forgotten,
And contacts have taken their place.
Now we tear apart fashion magazines,
Sephora catalogues galore.
Now I care what people think,
And my perfectly painted lips are sealed.
Jane Herz
Age 13, Grade 8
Writopia Lab
Gold Key