The Big Years
By. Jo Lena

I don't want
to be
a teenager
any more.

For a long time
I couldn't wait.

I'm ten
and being a
teenager was
a big deal.

Fast cars
late night T.V.
spending money
my own room
big kid places.

But yesterday
that all stopped.

Four teenagers
killed my dog.

He was on a sidewalk,
My dog, Pal,
was on the sidewalk

Four teenagers
in a car
drove up
over the curb

to hit him.

They were laughing.
I saw them
In a red car.

I buried Pal
out in the ferns
behind the creek
where ten-year-olds
and their dogs
go to play.

Teenagers never
go near the place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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