Letter to those growing up
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Health Wellness

Poetry On Odyssey: Gather, little darlings

A message to those still growing up.

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Poetry On Odyssey: Gather, little darlings
Leigh Pirch

Gather, little darlings!

I have secrets to tell

About the world that surrounds you

And the world that is to come,

The people who brought us here,

And the ones left behind.

Gather, little darlings,

I have secrets to tell!


Come, small ones,

The table is set for you,

And the placemats are ready.

Do not ask me what to eat;

The decision is up to you.

And while you eat your fill,

Let me tell you a story;

Are you listening closely?


Feel, my dears,

The world is full of wonders

And people make it more so.

Look outside, look up!
Humans wanted to fly, so we did.

We made giant birds out of metal and fire;

Land creatures now rule the sky,

So you can do anything.


Pay attention, loves,

Look at the ground at your feet;

This life is your chance to dance

On tabletops of spun gold and liquid glass,

Through air thick with honey

And starlight guiding your paths.

The world is what you make of it,

So make the world beautiful.


Look at my eyes, sweethearts,

Did you know that tears taste different

Depending on why they are shed?

Tears can hold everything and anything,

Carrying memory and mayhem.

Their burdens are released

Along with your own,

So let your tears flow freely.


Understand, little ones,

That people are different from you.

They may not always reciprocate

Your honey sweetness

Or your bite and sting,

But you can always see them

And appreciate theirs.

So appreciate everyone.


Listen, children,

To the beating of our hearts.

It echoes the thunder of

Clashing clouds and tumbling stones,

And the beating of eagles' wings.

Your body is a wonder of creation,

A miracle of chance and intention.

So marvel at your own beauty.


Reach, my loves,

For everything you want to.

The noise of this world will warn

Of Icarus and his fall from grace.

But you must remember that

Icarus laughed as he fell,

Rapturous in all he beheld.

So do not fear the fall.


Learn, my students,

Use what tools you have,

And feed your hungry minds.

You ravenous, eager beings,

You hold all of history and future

In the palms of your soft-skinned hands.

You know the paths we took to get here,

So do not make our mistakes.


Be careful, wild ones,

Even of the things you love.

For angels are deadly warriors,

And the stars will burn your hands.

Do not trust the pretty promises

Or the bright shining lights;

Even physics are not without exception,

So question even what is accepted.


Brace yourselves, brave ones,

Against the trials to come,

And the trails you will walk down.

The beach will warm your skin

While the valley shelters you,

But the ocean is deep and secretive,

And the mountains high and tumultuous.

So be ready for their crash.


Have patience, yearning ones,

The moment for you to rise

Rears its head on the horizon.

Your elders have already seen much;

Their wrinkles carve a roadmap to experiences

That you have never lived or known.

But the world is still young like you,

So take up the reigns for yourselves.


Fight, my hearts,

For what you believe in.

Spit the blood from your mouths

And wipe the mud from your eyes.

Home is where you are most willing

To stand tall for as long as you can.

There is hope and love in every revolution

So take these with you, always.


Keep your chins up, bright ones,

And gather up your shattered hearts.

Fit the pieces back together

And fill the cracks with raw nectar.

We are all together here a little broken.

Dust and ashes sowed from a ravaged past,

Grinning teeth of determination, marching, Excelsior!

So keep on going, and live.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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