Last Years Wishes are this Years Apologies

The hardest thing in life, and the hardest still,
Is watching her slowly grow away from me.
Thirteen came, and relentlessly, I said hello;
But in the back of my mind, I wish I could halt time.
Thinking back to the golden yesteryears,
[Of giggles turning to glares,
Smiles turning to tears,
I love you`s to I hate you`s,
And barbies into teenage boys.]
I knew what was in store, but even though,
I could not let out a word of ill advice.
Thoughts crossed my mind a time or two,
Of things I could say to keep her with me,
But I knew just a little too well now,
How teenage girls want to live their lives.
Watching her peel away from her innocence,
I hit my knees and prayed for help,
But change was on the horizon, it was coming fast,
And I was buckling down for the ride.
If only I could have stopped her hurried feet,
Just for a second, that`s all I needed,
Then I could have told her about this crazy world,
Before she found it out for herself.
Now eighteen and an adult, it is too late to say,
"Baby, just stay home with me today."
Regret washes over my mind, as tears fall,
Because I know, as hard as it is for me to face:
Last years wishes are this years apologies.

-Jenna Elphick
January 31, 2007

** Written from the perspective of my Mother . **