I had all of my students write about what it is that makes them a teenager and these were three of the huge number of wonderful poems that I received. What a terrific group of young people!
Poem Number One
Being a teenager means going to school
It’s controlling yourself and not acting like a fool
It’s getting older – a little too old
And shutting your mouth to do what you’re told
Being a teenager isn’t cool
It’s getting to school even if it’s by mule
And not pulling your iPod out to listen to Paula Abdul
It’s keeping your hood off even if it’s cold
Being a teenager isn’t cool
It’s not closing your eyes to fall asleep in class and drool
And learning to treat others in a way that’s not cruel
It’s being honest, responsible, brave, and bold
It’s not putting your life on hold
It’s not skipping the day to go chill at the pool
Being a teenager isn’t cool
Poem Number Two
Living as a teenager, it isn’t a very easy thing to be
But often it is a fascinating thing to me
More privileges, advantages, and better things to do
Movies with him, shopping with her, it’s a dream come true
I finally turned 10 plus ½ plus 3
But it’s not always a blast as you will see
I’m always in a scandal, never very free
I have to empty my pockets on stuff that is new
I finally turned 10 plus ½ plus 3
But it’s actually amusing, I must agree
Only there are issues and every problem has its own key
Like the gross mushy gushy lovey goo
Some days we’re friends and others I hate you
A lot of times I’m living a stress spree
I finally turned 10 plus ½ plus 3
Poem Number Three
Growing up was the best of times for me
Most of my friends would probably agree
There was no homework to be done
And with my burger, I’d eat only the bun
But it was too bad I had to go to bed so early
Every day of the summer it was so sunny
I loved to chase after the big bumble bees
And I was no match for the bees with my slow run
But it was too bad I had to go to bed so early
When my mom would take me to Hampton Beach I felt so free
As I ran through the hot sand towards the sea
Building sand castles with my brother was fun
Although I disliked the burns given by the sun
And then we’d go home, my mom would pull out her key
But it was too bad I had to go to bed so early