A Tangle of Hurt and Happiness - A collection of poetry

Seventeen

I'll be seventeen in a month and a half,
And by the gods, I want my childhood back.
Even as I write this, I can't help but shake my head.
I'm made aware of the truth as I lay in my bed.

I didn't have time to be a kid,
I truly wish I could say that I did.
But I gave it all away,
Just so they could have those few good days.

I care too much about the little things,
Like the feelings those memories will some day bring.
I wanted them to have all the love,
Cause there wasn't room for all of us.

I know that sounds a little sad.
Maybe this point of view is kind of bad.
But I saw the stress that clouded their eyes.
I heard all their worn out sighs.

I remember how tired they looked.
And I remember the way that I shook
The day everything became too much,
And their love for each other just wasn't enough.

I remember returning home,
Feeling like my life just wasn't my own.
I remember the sadness that choked the air.
The house reeked of despair.

Without a second thought, I stood up tall.
I swore to myself that I would never fall.
I swore that I could carry it all,
Cause I didn't have time to drop the ball.

Perhaps I grew up a little too fast.
But I did it without being asked.
I chose to forgo childish ease and bliss,
So that they could all make it to this.