The year was 1993,
a joyful girl took her first breaths.
She had hazel eyes and dark brown hair,
along with a contagious smile and laugh.
As she grew she explored the wonders of the world,
her curiosity radiated meadows, rivers and the forest.
She appreciated the beauty of sunrays as they
broke through openings in the trees and even the
chill from an explosive crashing wave.

The year was 2006,
a thirteen-year-old girl took her first punch.
She had thick eyeliner and polished fingernails.
As her friends changed, she changed as well.
She started to feel her innocence get drawn away
as she dragged her first cigarette.
Even though it was just experimenting,
she felt it might have gotten out of hand.

The year is 2011,
a senior in high school is taking another chance at love.
She has her friends and her family.
Now she knows the beauty of love and
the familiar feeling of heartbreak.
As she grows, she sees people’s true colors
and can feel their energies about them.
Whether she likes it or not, she continues to grow,
and since the days go by so fast,
she lives each day as if it were her last.