“But You Didn’t”—a poem from a 12-year-old, sentiments on Memorial Day

Most of my adult life I’ve been told I look younger than my (chronological) age. That is always nice to hear! But when I was young, I was constantly told I seemed older than I was. In my single digits and early teens I wrote a lot of poetry. Below is something I wrote for a school assignment on the Vietnam War. I was 12 years old when I wrote it (1973), and I think it is indicative of being mature beyond my years back then.

“But You Didn’t”                                  

                                                           

Remember the time you lent

me your car and I dented the fender
I thought you’d drill me...

but you didn’t

Remember the time I spilled

coke on your new rug

I thought you’d kill me...

but you didn’t

Remember the time I forgot

to tell you the dance was formal
and you came in jeans,

I thought you’d hate me...

but you didn’t

Remember the countless times

you’d try to be serious, and I’d giggle,
I thought you’d leave me...

but you didn’t

Remember all the times I’d flirt
with other guys, just to make you jealous, and you were,

I thought you’d drop me...

but you didn’t

There were plenty of things you did to put up with me,

to keep me happy, to love me, and there were

so many things I wanted to tell you after you

returned from Vietnam...

but you didn’t.

Blessings to all who have ever served, who are serving now or in the future, and to those who have lost their lives in service to country.  

Thank you.