This is a regular column featuring original poetry by and for high school students, provided by Figment.com, an online community writing site for young people.
"You go on ahead for now,"
I shout to all my friends,
in a confidently stable voice
I carefully suppress the tremors,
After all, it's my own fault.
I made choice after choice.
I listen to their fading laughter
I've no mem'ries of my own, but
Don't misinterpret what I say,
Unfort'nately, three years seems not
The joyful exclamation of
a hope fin'lly come true,
leaves me with only jealousy
"I'm into college!" they proclaim.
With each I see, I'm led to think
Not sure why I did not apply
maybe hypnotized by it's allure.
I try to think positively:
The great thing about life is that
whatever happens--good or bad--
my fate's not something that I had.
Now and tomorrow: it's up to me.
Yesterday went not so well, my
choices poor to say the least.
Steps in wrong directions, many,
for" life critics" it'd be a feast.
I've made ev'ry mistake that any
Regret is binding, ever finding;
can't hide nor back decisions take.
A quote I sometimes read and in which
"The future comes one day at a time."
The power in it, hit or miss.
A reader who post-read has but
a puzzled look upon her face,
likely lives a life in which
the future she's keen to embrace.
A family stable, grades secure,
and five year plan in place,
this quote makes little sense to her
in reference to time and space.
But I, oh yes, I feel the weight
of what the future brings.
Uncertainty of school or job
and countless other things.
The power of this quote is in
its statement of the obvious,
a fact that is forgotten by
far too large a number of us.
We people with anxiety and
Who squirm and worry, stress and scurry,
need reminder that we're fine and, though today is almost done,
the battle we've not lost or won.
The best thing 'bout the future's that
the days come one by one.
Don't get ahead or overstress:
the battle we've not lost or won.
Not with the setting of the sun,
not with departure of a ton
of high school friends to college fun.
The battle we've not lost or won.
In fact, it's really just begun.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.