The things I’d like to understand

About fathers

Why do they act so protective?
Why do they use weapons as a joke when it comes to boys?
Why do they treat daughters like little kids?

About mothers

Why do they get super nosy about everything?
Why do they think they’re doing something wrong as a parent
When we choose to be ourselves?
Why do they cry so much?

About boys

Why do they have to be so confusing?
Why do they do one thing
But mean another?
Why do they think they can’t show emotions?

About girls

Why do they bash one another?
Why do they date boys who are jerks?
Why do they think they have to look a certain way to be pretty?

About love

Why is it so cliché?
Why do adults think you need to be a certain age to be in love?
Why is it such a big deal
What gender you love?

About life

Why is life considered a race?
Why do people work so much?
Why are there so many expectations?

About death

Why are there so many crappy ways to die?
Why do people make so many jokes about death?
Why isn’t it talked about?

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This poem is published in The World in Me, a compilation of original poetry written by young people ages 8 – 17 who stayed with their families in housing at Solid Ground’s Broadview Emergency Shelter & Transitional Housing for women and children. The young authors who contributed to The World in Me are not identified by their real names, and some details have been changed to protect the privacy and confidentiality of them and their families. The authors retain copyrights on their individual works.