# data[].attributes.body
I"m 12

being 12 is sometimes hard
Sometime 12 is easy and fun

sometimes it is sad or happy
sometimes I wish I could stay 12 but everyone Ages and nothing can change you from ageing.

sometimes I wish I was older so I can make choices for myself but I can't Age many years in one night

We age every year on different days in the year

being the age 12in 7th grade and short

it is hard but it doesn't bother me
I like me the way I am

the age of 12 but soon I will 13 and I will be in 8th grade.

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13

When I look in the mirror i'm 13.
Until I turn 14
How many people are 13?
Being 13 is a good thing?

Being 13 is a bad thing?
It's good?
You get your own space.
Hang out with friends.
Have a good life ahead of you.

You question things in life now.
No worries yet.
Make life friends.
You develop as the real you.
Do you ever worry about things?

Sometimes you don't get sleep.
Time to create your own style.
I love being 13.
Do you like your age and is it hard?

# data[].attributes.body
The year of twelve,
the last year you are a kid.

More chores.
More space to put all your food,
filling up a growing body.

More responsibility
taking care of anything that is needed.

Dogs,
Yourself,
siblings.

It's hard
leaving childhood behind.

And learning from our mistakes,
our parents,
and those around us.

This is twelve.

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13

I want to be 16
I want to be able to drive
it seems like it would
very fun and cool.

It's been a very good
13 years but there has
been my fare share
of ups and downs.

I kinda don't want to
be 21 and I kinda
do because it my
golden Birthday.

Its fun being a teen
but its not as fun as it
was when I was in
kindergarden.

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13

I love being this age

It's not boring at all

I love living on this earth

No regrets in life

There are kids and teens

and sometimes even adults

that get kidnapped everyday

Life is amazing

Nothing can stop me

I am living the dream

People get shot everyday

I have a lot more things I have to do

I have a lot I have to remember

I have more homework now
if my grades slip my dad is on me and when I get a bad grade my dad hates to discipline me.

I have to remember a lot

This is what it is like to be a 13 year old

# data[].attributes.body
I'm 13
I remember when I was 5
the world was just unfolded.
I didn’t know what was really coming for me.
Just wanted to play all day and sleep, and just be a kid,
Too bad that never happened.
Too bad that not every kid get’t to live like there is always tomorrow.

Not every kid gets the “easy life”.

I remember being just 6 and already had to take care of a baby, just cause your mom couldn’t.

I remember being 6 wondering how come I couldn’t be like the kids on tv,
they seemed pretty happy to me,
they didn’t seem like they have to wait for dad to come every night.

A few years go by.
I’m 9 years old and I’m not able to be with they child I was supposed to take care of.

Everyday goes bye and not a single hi, what is a 9 year old supposed to do
feel so sick I might as well have the flu.

Erging for love my soul fly high just like a dove, all I wanted to do was what I was meant to do, which was??

Day after day after day I feel hopeless what can I do now.

Couple years go bye and I’m 12 now,

That’s when I heard i’m getting another opportunity, another chance to be me.

I look who i’m going to be with for the rest of my life and I think “ yo what the heck are these people”.

I was thinking they are whiter than snow white , but the had to do, right?

They put me on a plane all the way to what they call “America”.

It was so cool and there was so much to see, finally I felt free.

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13...

Who am I?

The biggest question right now

I look in the mirror,

Furrowing my brow

Everyone seems so sure

Im clueless of my worth

I'm looking for a cure

Tob the endless wondering

I wait for an answer

Always, I am pondering

What impact will I make

Will it be big or small

I don't know

If I am useful at all.

So I will just wait

For my time to come

I'll wait in this place

That I call my home

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13

I am 13 and a real teen
Being 13 is really scary
13 is a really important age because you have a lot of new responsibillities
My old age was 12 and I was not quite a teen
I can now do more things
But I can also get into more trouble

# data[].attributes.body
12 finally growing and maturing

I look back two maybe even 3 years my

Childhood is left behind goodbye imaginary friends goodbye.

In middle school one of the hardest grades not cuz of the homework

Cuz the names your called and the thoughts people have about you.

,Once I was seven years old I made friends laughed then I hit 10 people made fun

of me called me names, And I listen to their stupid expectations of me and changed

who I really was. Their I was standing my shoulders weighed down i was pushed 6

feet underground. But then I hit 12 I realized it doesn't matter what they think

about you.  So Goodbye fake mask goodbye fake me goodbye.

# data[].attributes.body
13 is the first year of a young adult

13 can be hard sometimes

13 can make your bones ache with pain

13 makes you grow up more

13 makes you feel older

13 years you have been alive there are still lots of more years ahead of you

13 can be interesting

13 gets you closer to high school

13 will make you a bit different

13 can good or bad, It depends what you do

Being 13 can be hard for you or easy for you

13 can make you more mature or less mature

13 can mean to you that you are still young or old

Being 13 can mean so many different things.

But now matter how you think 13 can mean you can’t be 13 forever

# data[].attributes.body
I am 14.

Officially a real teen

Also with a different mind set.

I have a family to support and to achieve my dreams in the end.

Life is a little harder than 13.

Time has passed.

Quicker than I thought it would.

But sometimes I still feel young

When I see myself in pictures.

As time goes I start to see who

My true friends really are, then I let the un-real

ones go.

Four-teen is about learning who

My real self is. And who I'm really

Meant to be.

I am 14 and I get

Emotimal

Sad

Annoying

Crazy

But that's what real life is.

People are all different and wild.

I love the age 14

But i surely do miss 13 because

That was when I started taking

Care and learning things for my

Self.

Being 14 is definitely hard

But you got to get past that because

Life gets harder as you keep going.

This is the age where I start to have

Some fun times in life but also time flys

By faster than you think.

That is what 14 feels like.

# data[].attributes.body
This is 13

13 is growing up.

This is my first year of being a teenager,

I now having many more emotions,

I have a lot of responsibility,

13 is growing up.

13 is having a lot of changes in life.

I am 13 and I have moved from Wisconsin to Illinois.

I am far away from my sister and my dad.

I am realizing how important my family is to me.

I am scared of losing people I care about.

I am realizing who my real friends are.

13 is having a lot of changes in life.

13 is letting go of childhood.

I am 13 and I loved childhood,

But now I am 13 and I have to let go of it.

When I was little I watched a lot of Dora,

When I was little I played with dolls,

When I was little I used a lot imagination.

I love childhood,

And I will always remember it.

13 is letting go of childhood.

13 is never giving up.

I have a lot of struggles,

But I never give up.

When I am having a hard time,

I relax because I know that it will all work out.

My favorite bible verse is: Philippians 4:13,

Because it always keeps me going.

13 is never giving up.

13 is a lot of things but I love it.

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13

I am 13 and scared

I am growing up too fast

I’m not ready for what life holds ahead of me

I am 13 and I dream

I hope for a perfect life and future

But that is rarely reality

I hope to have kids

And a husband

An for none of my children to ever be sick.

I want all of us to be happy

But they are dreams

But I know,

That one day,

I might not get married

Or have kids.

I am 13 and I’m not ready

I not ready to lose people

I am in the middle of an amazing family

Older brother, and a younger sister.

I have parents, siblings, pets, friends,

And I have love for them.

I wonder if I will live long, or short.

If I’ll make it to 20

Or if I’ll make it to 80.

Most people die sad deaths.

It is so hard to watch

You see videos on Youtube of others last videos.

They may have died a quick and easy death,

Or they have been the toughest cancer fighter you have ever seen.

People loose others every single day.

It is so difficult

To watch the ones we love,

Suffer

I am 13 and I love.

I love my mom and dad

I love my sister and my brother

But I know that one day,

I will lose them

Or they will have to lose me.

It is the hardest thing you would ever have to watch.

There are people that I hope to care for

And them to care for me.

But I live in a fantasy world sometimes

Where everything is perfect

But then you see the real side of reality.

It can be mean,

Or harsh,

Or so difficult.

I am 13 and I am emotional

I sometimes cry

Or sometimes I get mad

It is part of life

We go through times we don’t want to go through.

We are scared sometimes

We don’t think we are ready for the challenges we will face.

I am 13 and I’m ready

Ready to grow up

Ready to start being more independent

Ready to start driving

Ready to start a real job besides chores around my house.

Ready to get the courage to try to jump out of the nest

And fly

I’m 13 and I’m happy

I am as happy as I’m gonna get

Some days aren’t fun,

Or are more difficult than others

But I try to stay happy.

All the drama for girls at our school,

Or the boys at our school.

This is the age where we start developing crushes,

And I hate to say it,

But this is when we start to grow up

We go through puberty,

We become emotional

Some of us get diagnosed with medical issues

Some of use develop anxiety

Or depression

This is the age where we start to become self conscious of ourselves

It may be our face because we start to get pimples,

Or our body because we “aren’t thin enough”

Or our bodies because “we weigh too much”

But the truth is…

You are perfect

We should accept others for who they are.

But we don’t

We are teenagers that are jerks

We will mature some day, and realize, that it was all worth it.

We will start to accept others for who they really are.

But I’m here to tell you that you are perfect

No matter what others say,

Or do,

You are 100% worth it.

You may think you have a terrible life because you aren’t

“Popular”
“Pretty”

“Liked”

“Thin”

“Funny”

Or just because people simply say “You don’t matter”

But you do.

We have grown up in a world of drugs,

Guns,

Death

Sickness

Everything that we don’t want.

We sometimes ask ourselves

“Am I really worth it?”

“Am I loved? By anyone?”

And the truth is…

You are

This is 13.

# data[].attributes.body
This is 13

A challenging age,

Where you want people to like you,

And you care what you look like,

So you make sure nobody thinks your ugly,

And what you wear,

You can be insecure at times.

This is 13

Worrying about your friends,

Some there for you and some not,

You think about mistakes you made,

And some of the best moments of life.

This is 13

Thinking about your future,

Your job,

And even the house you'll have one day.

This is 13

Feeling invisible,

Not loving yourself,

Or even feeling loved,

And feeling lonely.

This is 13

Not knowing who you are,

But knowing you wanna be someone great,

And a person that is always loved.

This is 13

Knowing no matter what someone loves you,

Even if you don’t feel it.

This is 13.

# data[].attributes.body
I am 12

I hate being 12
because everybody is older than me.

I have always wanted to be 13.

People that are 13 have more freedom.
But I am turning 13 soon and i'm ready
I have been dreading this moment forever.

My dad has always said that Whenever I hit 13 it is like i am already 30.

I think I will also miss being 12 because I had so many good memories like the talent show getting my second guitar
I also went to my first big car show and about won $100,000

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13.

We are growing up in a generation where we think that if something bad happens

for example the Cathedral in Notre Dame that caught on fire

that it is on purpose.

When our parents were young they probably could walk in big cities or anyplace actually without having to worry about getting kidnapped.

There are kids and teens and sometimes even adults that get kidnapped everyday.

I have a younger brother named Alex who is 12 and in 6th grade.

We fight a lot, but I'm here for him when he needs it at the end of the day.

My mom and dad are divorced so we go back and forth every other weekend.

A good part about it is that we get two of everything.

I love my family because they are here for me through thick and thin.

I can't wait for 14.

# data[].attributes.body
12 years old

I want to be 13

But that is coming soon

Then I know later in my life

I will not want to be older

I have enter the age

That I start thinking

What I want to do

What I have to do to get there

In college

Racing is not what I want

To do as a hobby

I want to do it as job

I want people to not like me

Just b/c I’m just that good

That is why I like the people

The others dont

B/c that is the people that are the best

Then the time comes

I only have one grandparent left

He has left me something his will

Some old coins from his dad

But that is not the point the point is that

I’m getting older

Dad says how are you so old

I say why am I  not older

I want to get out of school

Then I can do whatever

But then I have to pay taxes

Worry about money payments

But then the money to follow my dreams

Then what is the point of life if you don't

Do what you want to do

Then there is not to get better at

That why you always can get better

It is just how

At the end of my day

I’m in middle school

Kids are going to make fun of me

Think they are better than me

But I do not have to be mean

I just know that they are jealous of me

Some say that I'm spoiled but I'm not

I wasn't put on this earth to sit on the couch

I was put on this earth to drive a race car

I do not want to follow everyone

Do the same thing make the same money

I want to find a new way to do things

Make a better way

Change the way of racing

When I go to different race tracks

I want people to think where did this guy come from

People will think this kid is good

Not just good, great

The people say I’m bad

That will just make me want to be better

I will race till I cannot any more

The only thing that will stop me is

A broken bone or a physical problem

I WILL NEVER STOP

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13 years old.

I"m finally a teenager
at first I was scared to become a teenager at first. But honestly it's really just the same as being 12. I go back and look at pictures of when I was younger, I see how much i've changed from then to now.

13 is the age of growing becoming stronger and more responsibilities. 13 is middle of junior high you loose  your closest friends since kindergarten. But then you find new ones.

Middle school is filled with rumours  and people vaping. Our age kids think it's cool to vape but it really just affects your brain because its not fully developed.

13 can be hard and wish you were back in 2nd grade when it was easy

# data[].attributes.body
I am 12
I won't be 13 until July
which is in a long time.

I hate waiting months until being the same age as everyone else. I usually feel like I'm the the youngest 7th grader. Then I realize there are other people in 7th grade that are 12.

Being 12 can be hard.
Life gets even harder
every step of the way.

We get judged by our looks and some time's personality.
We get stuck in drama and it begins with anxiety.

Each time we get stuck in drama and it anxiety people don't understand how hard it is to calm down.

Being 12 is hard. It is at least for me. I can't imagine what 13 is going to be like.
This is 12.

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13 years old.

I know my family loves me. I know that they care.

Being 13 is a fresh start.
I have been waiting to be 13 for a year.

12 was not a good year for reasons I don't want to describe.

Being 13 has made me realize that none of us should take these moments for granted.

The thing is, we should get along with each other.

We shouldn't hate anyone because tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

We should be thankful for the people around us while we can.

# data[].attributes.body
This is 12

I look at pictures of when I was younger,

And see how much I have changed from then to now.

I remember when I was younger,

I would wonder what I will be like when I am this age

But I guess now I know.

I used to think that when I would be in seventh grade

That I would be so grown up

But for some reason, I don’t always feel that way.

Time has passed

Quicker than I imagined

But I sometimes still feel like the little girl I see in pictures.

As I get older,

I realize who my true friends are,

And I let some of the un-true ones go.

Twelve is about learning more about myself,

And who I’m meant to be.

But sometimes I’m not sure.

I hope to figure that out when I’m thirteen.

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13

Whenever I turned 13 I felt like I was actually getting older every single year.

I remember when I was 8 years old and I could finally sit in the front seat of the car.

Sometimes I look in the mirror and I say to myself  I have changed a lot since I was little.
Since I was born in 11/19/05 tell now I feel like the days and years are getting shorter every time I have my birthday.

Im only 13 years old and my parents now let me cook things in the oven when they are not home.

All of the years in the  past have all led up to me being 13 years old.
It feels longer than 13 years to become 13 years old.

All of the memories that I had in the past like building legos and learning how to tie my shoe feels like it has been so long since all of that.

Time passes by to quick I wish that I could spend more time with my family because I am going to keep getting older but also they will get older too.

I am 13

# data[].attributes.body
I am 12
I'm still not a teenager, but that's alright. I will always admire the age I am at.

People say that I'm 13 or 14, but I wonder why I'm only 12.

I wouldn't say I'm the youngest in my grade or one of the youngest. I won't turn 13 until I'm in the summer, so I could tell of my friends in soccer that I'm 13.

( They would probably say cool, I already turned 13 about to turn 14)

Then I would be like ok you don't have to brag.

Even though I'm still 12 I will always like the age that I'm at. No matter if I'm the oldest or I'm the youngest.

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13

I'm a teenager
My awesome 13th birthday with one piece of advice...

Don't hurry in growing up, save it while it lasts.

When you live your teenage life,
it can be the worst, but also the best.

You are a winner, but sometimes you can be a loser too.

Always take hugs, but no drugs.

In life we can be friends, but my 13 friends are best.

This is my advice from the point of view of someone who is 13.

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13

I love the way that My family works.
13 means watching my baby sister grow.

13 means friends at school.
The are the best part of it.

Being 13 is being aware that life isn't always sunshine and rainbows.

My mom choose to be gone, we lost my grandma. But life began to look up at the age of eleven. Rainbows.

At 13 I've learned that life can be hard. But I'm looking for the good and there is a lot of good.

# data[].attributes.body
13- By Joshua Simnick

13.

All the sad and happy moments

Time has flown by

Just to know i've already lived a 10th of my lifetime.

All the memories of being outside

With my dad in the sandbox

In my room with my lego’s

Outside on the baseball diamond.

I have had lots of sad moments

And I have gotten through it

It may have been hard

But i’m still here

I've also had good moments

Like playing baseball

Playing yahtzee with my family

Going outside with my friends

I wish I could write more

But i don't have much to say

Because remember……

Im only 13.

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13
Thirteen is an age where you are held to higher standards.
Thirteen is learning about yourself.
It is seeing all that changes that have happened in just a year.

People change and so do attitudes.

Being young you don't care what people think of you.
Then middle school rolls around and everything is thrown out the window.
People start to only think about what everyone thinks of them.
But you just can't do that.
You have to think about how you feel about yourself.

Thirteen is looking back at your accomplishments so far in your life, and being proud of them.
You also need to think about how much life you still have to live.
And think about all the things you are going to accomplish in the future.

It's about making mistakes and owning up to them.
You let the dumb mistakes go and not focus on them.

Being thirteen school starts getting harder and so do friendships.
You have to let things go easier,
and start focusing on yourself more.
You get more stressed from all of the work that's going to start in high school.
But you have to think to yourself that you will get through it.

When you're thirteen it's probably going to feel like the hardest thing.
But it will sometimes get easier, and it will probably get way harder.

# data[].attributes.body
I am thirteen

I don't need to tell you about how we are the privileged generation, you know that already,
You're right.

I've been playing video games since I was four.
It hurts the most though, being called privileged, It's a harsh word I want to do so much still.
I can't. I want to see the world, I could but not yet. I want to be safe, without worry, I can't no one can do that, you see we are still the same. We all hurt ourselves, falling off the bike of life, and we all get hurt slipping down the mountainside. I wonder what the excuse would be if I told you why we aren't free.

I could show you anything,
From the skies above,
To why you wear a wedding ring,
And the joys of love.

I want to show you what is right,
But I am flawed,
Imprisoned by a guiding light,
Telling me with a dropped jaw,

I can't believe how easy it'd be,
To fix the world,
So we can see,
By saying but a few simple words,
Like, "Be nice to your fellow boys and girls."

So I thank you to any that listen,
To the boy who sits here alone,
With no one in this coalition,
Standing here on my stone,
While they sit,
And they moan and groan,
I wonder why the world won't rest,
Until it sees the cold I've endured,
doing my best.

# data[].attributes.body
This is 12

Not yet a teenager but not still a child

Like being stuck in the middle

It’s hard to be patient

Waiting to be considered a teenager

Waiting for more

This is 12

Losing Friends and making new ones

Still finding out who I am

Still finding what I truly want in life

Still trying new things

This is 12

Working hard to get what you want

Working hard to find out where you fit in

Trying hard to impress others

This is 12

Still learning

Still making mistakes

Just like every other age

I am the same but different

I will always be learning and making mistakes

This is 12

# data[].attributes.body
This is 13

From going to 1 to 13

Life is rough

Life is not the same for everyone

This is 13

The stress from school and others

It takes a while to get use to

This is life at age 13

Not 12

Not 11

This is 13

The age of reality

The age when the real life starts

The age when you will be afraid of new things

The age you have to get use to

To go through life

13 is when life will get harder

And harder

And harder

But you have to get use to it

This is 13

# data[].attributes.body
It is an age when puberty happens.
People become weird/mean.
Friends change
It's an age when relatives that are older;
Start to die.

13 is when imagination is stupid.
It's when you, yes you;
have finally become a teenager.
You start to have more responsibilities.
It can be a crazy ride.

13 is when you aren't the same;
You start to think about the future.
13 is a time that you realise,
Everything around you is changing;
But you have no idea what to do.

# data[].attributes.body
Almost a teenager.

One year in middle school.

Acting all tough since I made it

To middle school but still on the

Totem poem.

Wishing I could stay this age forever.

Wishing I could stop the progression of

technology. The days are getting

shorter and the years are going

Faster.

Me being the kid I am I wish

I could go back in time and stop the

progression of technology and

Everything would stay the same.

# data[].attributes.body
Almost a teen

Just one month

There is so much I haven't done

And so much I want to do.

Being 12

I have more to do

But more I can do

I now have been

Playing hockey for

8 years

But I can still improve

I look back at how much I have learned

And look forward to what I still need to learn

And think that I can be better

But it could be worse

# data[].attributes.body
I am turning 14 in a month thank goodness
I am happy being 13, bit Im over it

As 12 fadded, and 13 came to be my age I began to felt stressed
Unhappy,  and fearful
But as I go from 13 to 14 Ive began happy, and relized some things

I realized what I wanted to do with my life, how I can make myself happy, and make people proud of the things I do

My goal while going from 13 to 14 is to acomplish something Ive wanted to do since last year
I want to go to sate for track that would be a dream becomin a reality

I am inspired by my two older brothers
One who is still in high school, and who won state in football
And the other in the process of achiving his dream in wresiling
My oldest brothers are 22, and 16
Meanwhile Im 13 going on to 14

I got state in the bag
I am 13 to 14

# data[].attributes.body
13 years old
jokes to be said
Looking at the people getting old Reading every night so we can stay ahead
Video games and fortnite
The screen that is so very bright Study hall wasting with jokes to spare
You have to get a good grade so you can be fair
Birthday opon birthdays
Christmas opon christmas
Spring Break and summer days Lounging in the pool
Hockey and baseball Football
soccer Beach volleyball
Summer Days and spring days
it is a great day to be 13

# data[].attributes.body
This is 13

This is the age where time starts flying by

And the age I realize that I am growing up

This is the age where I start having some of the best times of my life

The age I get to have fun with my friends

And not have to be watched by my parents any longer

13 is the age where I can still have so much fun

But also still have many responsibilities

At 13 you still have so much to look forward to in the future

Time flies by at 13

But this is the age I look on to the future

And can't imagine what it holds for me

13 is the age where you start caring more and more

You start realizing what matters the most to you

You start having some of the best times of your life

But also have some of the hardest times too

This is the age where more and more people start to rely on you

They trust you now that you are getting older

You can still have so much fun at 13

But also you get to start making decisions for yourself

This is the age you really realize who your best friends are

Who you want to tell everything

You realize what you are really interested in

And you start to decide what you love

13 is a very exciting age

You are realizing who you are becoming

You will learn so many things about life

You will have some of the best times of your life

This is 13

# data[].attributes.body
I was once 1.

I was sinking everything around me in

There was just so much stuff

What’s that?

What’s this over here?

Who are all of these tall people?

Why was I being put in water?

I was once 1.

I was once 6.

I learned so much, math and reading

I showed my mom how I spelled my name

I rode on my bike without a care in the world

I didn’t care what others think

What should I paint next?

Mommy, can I get this bike for my birthday?

Why do my siblings hate school?

I changed my mind, how about a scooter?

I was once 6.

I am 13.

I try so hard to fit in

I’d do anything for people to like me

I try all these new things; basketball and volleyball

Gone are the carefree and relaxing days

I just have so much to do

Does this make me look skinnier?

Did I make the team?

Did I get an ‘A’ on that test?

Does my hair look okay?

When will I have the time to finish all of my homework?

Why is my family so embarrassing?

I am 13.

When I’m 30

I’ll laugh at the stupid things I did as a kid

At all the times I tried to fit in

I’ll be comfortable with my body and who I am

I’ll know life is short and I’ll want to live it fully

I’ll do things because I want to, not please anyone

I’ll apologize to my parents for being a pain

Will my kids be as bad as I was?

Did we pay that bill?

What should I make for dinner?

Gosh, when will my boss ever shut up?

When I’m 30.

But I’m 13 right now.

Today I just want to focus on today

And get through it all

Not worry about the future

I just want to live in the moment

With the knowledge that it’s going to get better

I’m 13.

# data[].attributes.body
13

Being means a lot of things

More responsibility

More things around the house to clean

Being 13 is like the first step into adulthood

And the first steps towards your dreams.

For me age is experience

Gathering knowledge every day

For a greater thing to try

You have to experience the fullest of life before you die

For me I have experience great times

Along with trying times

There has been funny times

And really sad crying times

But I still stay in the game

Up at the plate

To take a swing at life

But for me it has been spending time with

Those that you love

Family friends that makes it all worthwhile

But it is harder and harder each year of growing up

Less freetime and more of everything else

But looking back on the rest of my years

That I have lived I have a while to go

Things will be getting interesting in the teen years like the seem to do

For everyone

But looking ahead wondering,

Because right now is truly beautiful

And that is why they call it the present

# data[].attributes.body
This is 13

I like being older

But sometimes it comes to a boulder

People start changing

And not so much blaming

This is 13

My life has changed

My parents don't go

I'm not all alone

I have some thoughts

Have some friends

This is 13

I'm going to miss the toys

I'm going to miss the past

But that all gone but not last

I am 13

So goodbye 12

Goodbye 11

See you later 10 and I will miss 9

But that's all gone I have to look forward

To the future

Goodbye not so teenager kid

Because this is me at 13

# data[].attributes.body
This is 13

This is 13 the year that we grow up

When we open the first door to being an adult

When we try and learn who we are

Why we’re on the earth

13 is the year where we get more privileges

We don’t where clothes that don’t match anymore,

I wish that I still had the energy

Passion

Dream

I can still see myself in the basement dancing

Singing and having the best time a second grader could have

13 is the year when we grow up from doing that

13 is also the year that we still have a little of the little kid still in us

This is the year where we change,

But it’s a good change

This is the year when we find out who we are,

This is 13

# data[].attributes.body
This Is Thirteen

Looking at myself

I see how much I have grown

Taller and taller as the years went by

I love my age

13 is the age I am

Getting stronger

Better at things

And improving at things

I love my age

Leaving my childhood behind

Getting more and more mature

Not being super crazy

Loving all of my friends and family

I am 13

Learning about who I really am

Getting to be trusted more

Having more privileges

# data[].attributes.body
Im 13,

I have 2 siblings,

Since im older,

I have to be a good leader for them,

Since im older,

My parents depend on me more,

Im 13,

I have a dog,

Since im older,

I have to take care of him,

Since im older,

I get more privileges.

Im 13,

I have chores,

Since im older,

I have to do more stuff then my siblings,

Since im older,

I get blamed more.

# data[].attributes.body
Now that I am 13

People say you can really

Do everything for yourself

Even when your struggling in the hardest times

And feel like your gonna explode like a landmine

When your a baby

You don't need to worry about anything

And there is never nothing to do

But is it true

Is it best being a child not a adult

Well I guess time will tell

In the end everything ends up swell

While your here you mind as well make it a good time

Because you can keep explaining to people that you are fine

Because in the end the end it means a lot to be kind

# data[].attributes.body
This is 12

The generation of social media
Going through middle school
At twelve you begin to think more about what people think about you.

Being 12 is fun
You get to do a lot more stuff that you couldn’t before.

You start to grow physically and as a person.

You start to think about who you really are

And what you want to be

You live life freely

You go to school and learn about stuff that seems dumb

But in the end it will help you out

And you won’t regret it in the end

You figure out how to live life like a good person

It can be hard

But you can’t slow down

This is 12

# data[].attributes.body
This is 13

This is 13,

being able to hang with my friends,

riding bikes, and messing around,

doing things we shouldn’t be doing.

When you turn 13 you start to understand more,

you understand what is happening in the world,

and that it only gets harder the older you get.

13 is becoming a teenager,

your parents start to realize that your getting older,

and that your their last child.

Being able to think your old but your not,

and being able to spend time with your family.

13 is realizing that you need to start making your own choices,

that it is time to think before you do,

because if you don’t it might not end well.

13 is realizing your not a child anymore,

you start to shave,

and that there are changes you are gonna have to go through.

This is 13

# data[].attributes.body
This is twelve

As I grow older

I look in the mirror

Thinking of all my memories

Trying to look clear

Twelve is wondering

Where my path will go

Why my path will go this way

And what am I here to show?

Twelve has almost passed

Way too early and way too fast

Always on the move and always thinking

Oh, twelve has been such a blast!

Twelve has been fun

Lots of emotions and laughter

I can’t wait for twelve to be done

Thank you, twelve, I will live happily ever after!

Twelve has been great

I can’t wait for many more years

Thank you for making my path straight

Here is to many more years!

This is twelve

# data[].attributes.body
Thirteen

At this age is the new world of life

You find who you are and the others around you

Where you make the dumbest and smartest of decisions

Yet, is the age of bright colors

New world to live in and new kind of people you meet

Thirteen makes you be the wildest you can be

The time in a day where nothing matters

Live up to the greatest you that you can be

While thirteen is the time where your parents trust in you

While you are set free to make choices it may be dumb ones

You get let loose on the parent string

You're still the baby in every family

Yet, sometimes you are the oldest

But to be on the earth for thirteen years

You are the newly but going to be the elderly in life

This is thirteen.

# data[].attributes.body
This is 13

Still young

But old enough to have responsibilities

Mom and Dad making me get a job

Have to work hard in sports

This is 13

Brothers getting too close to college

7th grade

Getting boaters license

2 more years till I am in highschool

This is 13

Not as much free time

Still having fun

Having more homework

More chores at home

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13.

Officially a teenager.

Technically, I’m 13 years and 8 months.

Not like that matters.

I belong to what is called “Gen Z”.

We’re the kids born between 1995-2013.

We’re the ones ridiculed for our technology

They call us “iGen” “Gen Wii” “Screenagers”

To quote the lovely Maisie Williams:

“They [older people] think you’re a self-obsessed,

Selfie-stick waving generation.

They’ve counted on that.

They’ve kicked your future in the teeth,

And hoped you wouldn’t notice.”

She’s not wrong.

13 is the age where, maybe,

you finally realize you deserve to be treated

Like more than the dirt you walk on.

And then,

They have the audacity to say

“it’s a rebellious phase.”

“They won’t respect their parents.”

“How dare they disrespect their elders!”

“Back in my day, we treated our elders with respect!”

Why should I respect someone who won’t respect me?

Why should I respect someone who brushes me off as self-obsessed?

Who says that they are better than us?

Who doesn’t listen to what I have to say?

Tells me my thoughts don’t matter

Because I’m younger than them.

It baffles me.

They really think I should respect someone

Who tells me to shut up and sit down.

Not in a million years.

Being 13 is being a part of the generation

Who knows that they could be killed in their own classroom.

By their peer.

By someone they’ve known since they were 5.

By a friend.

Being 13 is entering a classroom for the first time

And thinking

“If someone came through that door with a gun,

What’s the safest way out of the room?”

“Who in here might have a gun in their backpack?”

“If I’m by the window, is it a quick escape if need be,

Or is it an entrance point for an intruder?”

Being 13 is growing up

Being told by that we’ll drown in college debt.

That buying a house is unrealistic.

They’re just too expensive.

I mean, you could buy a house.

But then you can’t afford to pay for food.

It’s your choice, I guess.

Food or a decent living place?

Can’t have both.

Being 13 isn’t all negative.

We’ve got social media

So we can talk to our friends who live far away.

I’ve got a friend from England

Who I can talk to whenever I want.

Although, time zones make communications tricky.

Another thing about being 13.

I see my peers standing for what they believe in.

Remember what the kids from Parkland did after the shooting?

Remember how they refused to be silent?

How they marched for their lives?

How they took to the streets?

Saying,

Asking,

Begging,

For change

Saying “Enough is enough”

“You stand by and watch us slaughtered.

In our own schools.

And you’re okay with that.”

They pushed for change.

Kids like me

Demanding stricter gun laws.

So maybe we won’t get mowed down in those uncomfortable plastic chairs.

Of course, because we are 13,

Because we are kids,

We can’t make a change.

We tried.

We tried so hard.

They didn’t change the laws.

At 13,

I’ve been raised on fantasy.

Heros and heroines teaching me right from wrong.

I grew up with Katniss Everdeen, Harry Potter, Captain America.

I was told we could make a difference,

No matter our age.

People seem surprised we are speaking up.

Why?

They’re the ones who told us to stand for what we believe in.

(But only if we believe the same things as them.)

(We aren’t supposed to stand up against them.)

Because I’m 13,

I’m typing this at home.

It’s midnight.

I need to be up in less than six hours.

My parents tell me I need to go to bed.

“Why?”

I ask.

“You need sleep.”

They reply.

“But I’m not done with my homework.”

I say.

“You still need sleep. Getting your homework done isn’t as important as sleep.”

I look at my parents,

Confused.

What do they mean,

Basic self care is more important than my grades?

No one has ever told me that.

“Your grades should be the most important thing to you.”

Is all I’ve ever heard.

They are.

I put my grades before my own health.

Because that’s all I know.

That’s all I’ve been taught.

I’ve never heard someone say

“Your happiness and mental health is more important

Than your schooling.”

So why do my parents think I should put myself first?

Isn’t that what they told me to avoid?

That it’s selfish

To put your basic needs before others?

Being 13 is asking your parents to proofread your poem

And your mom thinks it sad

That this is our reality.

But your dad

Looks at you incredulously

And tells you

“You realize you live in the most privileged generation?”

“We didn’t have the internet

When I was young.

We had books.

We didn’t have television,

Or phones,

Or music we could easily access.”

You’re comparing being scared of being shot in your classroom

To not having internet.

Not exactly a fair comparison.

But I hold my tongue.

“Don’t disrespect your parents”

They say.

Apparently sharing your own opinions is disrespectful.

Don’t worry,

Next time,

I’ll write what you want to read.

Because

I know it’s hard to read.

But,

Sometimes?

The truth hurts.

# data[].attributes.body
This is 13.

13 is gaining responsibility,

But still having fun.

13 is getting more homework,

But keeping good grades.

This is 13.

13 is playing for school teams,

But working hard to get in.

13 is not having recess,

But getting to sit by your friends at lunch.

This is 13.

13 is people caring about what you do,

But you don’t care what they think.

13 is figuring out who your real friends are,

But fading away from fake ones.

This is 13.

# data[].attributes.body
At the age of 13,

You are officially a teenager.

Your parents are more comfortable

With you going out by yourself.

You can finally do all the things

You have been wanting to do.

At the age of 13,

Friends are very important.

They are there for you when

You think everything is going wrong.

We need our friends through this

Frightening time.

Even if it is just the littlest thing,

Friends can help so much.

At the age of 13,

This is the learning part of life.

We are all learning what to do

In the sticky situations.

What will you do when…?

What should I do when…?

How do I handle…?

Everyone is still learning.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

# data[].attributes.body
13
I am 13

12 we don’t talk about 12 years old

11  The time I was learn to draw actually good

10 I thought I owned my room

9  When I realized I might be alone

I am  13

8 This was when I learn how to draw

7 When I thought I was invincible

6 When I realized I wouldn’t be alone

5 The year I could read

I am 13

4 when I  actually say three instead of free

3 The year I learned to ride a bike

2 I could walk

1 when I learned how to talk

The age that I am

The age that I feel

Are so far apart

I’m only 13 but I feel 100

Why am I the way I am

I do not know

But what I do I try to learn more about

I don’t have much to other then

I am 13

But my soul will live forever

# data[].attributes.body
Twelve

The age in between

A middle age

11, 12, 13

The age that sticks out

Twelve

The age of becoming

What do you want to be?

Are you really twelve?

Twelve

The age of not knowing

Not knowing friends

Not knowing parts about you

Twelve

The age of new beginnings

New friendships

New taste in music

Fashion too

Twelve

What is next?

7th grade almost done

13 on the way

The label teenager,

knocking on the door.

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13.

I commonly ask questions about life.

What am I going to be?

What does my future look like?

Will I be happy?

Because that’s all I want,

I want to have a happy future.

But right now I am stuck in a world.

Hey world where I want to remain a child.

I miss the fun times I would have,

Even if it’s the memories I want to forget.

I will always miss that one part of my life,

Whenever you think I look that comes to life.

I already miss that part I can’t get back.

Like my imagination,

And staying up all night playing with my dolls.

The two of us going place to place,

Or it right next to my side when I was sad.

and all the secrets I told it,

Knowing it won’t tell anyone.

That was the key in my life.

That’s why I am giving her a nice home.

With my baby sister,

They will have all the new memories.

That part of me of having an imagination,

Will always be a part I can’t have back.

But I hope I giving the key to my imagination,

Will help my sister have her own.

But being 13 is good too.

It prepares me for what happens later.

Hopefully I will have a job or a family,

But I still want to remember these final memories.

I may not have all of my creative side,

But I still have some part to hold onto.

The part I hold onto makes me happy,

And I need some happy my life.

It may not always be there.

When 13 comes there is also school.

In a way where you fit in at,

Or do you can trust.

But my friends help a lot

I was hoping to say need anything just like they do for me.

They help me with my dark times.

So as life goes on who knows what will happen.

Who knows what I will be.

Who knows what my life looks like.

And who knows if I will be happy.

But like someone once told me,

Live life now and not later.

# data[].attributes.body
I am 13

Still young and beautiful

It is a great age to be

In 7th grade now

About to be in high school

I can do more things with getting older

But I didn’t have to care about anything when I was younger

I get more responsibilities now

I have to do more stuff myself

I get to make more decisions

More things happen by my choice

Some things are better now

Some things aren’t as good

I get play more sports

I don’t have to do as much

I’m looking ahead a lot

But also looking back

I am living in the present though

I am 13 now

And I like it so much

# data[].attributes.body
Thirteen.

It’s a strange age.

You make new friends.

You lose old ones.

The age when school gets harder.

That includes more homework,

Having to listen more,

And a lot more test.

The age where boys do more.

They get dumber in groups,

Stay up late at sleepovers,

Or just being rough with each other.

The age where you grow.

Getting growing pains all the time.

Going through tons of shoes.

Getting taller than your parents.

The age when you get more responsible.

You get more jobs from your parents.

You can baby sit younger siblings,

And make sure you don't have late work.

# data[].attributes.body
I am only 13.

13 years of chances.

13 years of mistakes.

13 years of friends.

13 is the start and the end.

It is the start of adulthood.

It is the end of childhood.

13 is the tipping point of staying home alone.

13 is the number of chances you’ve had.

13 is the years that you have learned.

13 is the unlucky.

13 is the beginning.

13 is the start of something new.

13 is my age.

It is responsibility.

It is respect

It is boring.

It is Importance.

This is 13 .

It is my time.

It is my way.

# data[].attributes.body
This is 12

I’m only 12,

With much to learn,

Learn to speak correctly,

Learn to act,

Learn to learn,

So I can learn to live.

I still have yet to figure it out,

Still have yet to have known,

I still haven’t done it all,

But if no one has,

Then anyone could.

I want to play concerts,

But if life has a limited amount of time,

I guess I should learn to play,

Before leaving it for later catches up to me.

I’m 12 for now,

I want to age,

I want to have sufficient agency,

I want to have talent.

I’ll be 13 soon,

But I’ll leave that for later,

Because right now I have to be 12,

13 is a different experience.

Right now I’m learning who I am,

Learning what I’ll be,

Figuring it all out,

But I may just have to wait and see.

I’m aggravated easily,

But that may just be me,

I want to be able to do more,

But I’ll have to wait and see.

I want to age,

I want to know,

I want it all,

But I want none.

I Know little,

That’s why I learn,

So I’m making progress,

But I still have yet to know it all.

I am young,

I am not done,

I am incomplete,

This is 12.

# data[].attributes.body
By 13 you are a teen,

You are the one,

That people look to,

For help, guidance, friendship.

By 13 you are responsible,

The adults take you seriously,

And give you responsibility,

And privilege.

By 13 you are free,

To live and breath,

To think,

To be yourself

By 13 you are changing,

Your friends,

Your expectations,

Your reality.

By 13 you are a teen,

You’re hungry,

And you’re tired,

But you’re learning who you are.

# data[].attributes.body
13

13 is the age that matters a lot

Your finally a teenager,

With a reputation.

Some adults will think you are bad, crazy kids who just cause trouble.

In some cases that’s true but for some of us were not bad at all.

So in order to make it clear not all of us are bad you need to prove it by being good.

You need to help the elderly,

Treat your siblings good,

Be good to your parents,

Don’t do drugs,

The list goes on and on

Being 13 is really hard at times.

There can be struggles, it can be sad,

But I know you should just be you and if you are in the end it will all be ok.

Making friends is hard.

Especially if you're new to a school,

But as you go on it will little by little get easier.

Everyone of every age has a purpose.

Big, small, skinny, no matter how you judge yourself you are who you are and you shouldn't try to change.

Be you.

This is 13.

# data[].attributes.body
This Is Thirteen

Thirteen is when you are finally a teenager

You are at the age where life is going to be great

Also when life is going to get hard

You are going to have to find your place in life

You are going to start to have to think about your passion

And what you want to be when you grow up

It is time for you to find the people that you can trust and have a healthy relationship with

It is time for you to find who you want to be as a person

It is also when you realize that you are getting older

I remember when I was younger I would play store with invisible customers

I would perform songs infront of an invisible crowd inspired by Katy Perry

I would even pretend to be on the show Dance Moms

Being thirteen is actually kind of crazy

You are trying to get through things that come with being a teen

For me it is listening and dancing to Justin Bieber songs that match my mood

It can be sad, mad, confused, happy, loving, and more

You will go through loss
I lost my dad when I was just nine years old
You will wonder why things have to happen
You will wonder what will change

You will also lose friends
I know that I have lost friends along the way that I never knew I would be separated from
It makes me sad
It also makes me mad

It is also where you start to stand for yourself
I know that I am starting to
I think that everyone should
You should never let anyone say anything to you that is hurting you

I think that being thirteen has honestly been annoying

Everything that comes with it is kind of crazy

School, friendships, relationships, sports, and family

Even though I cried on my thirteenth birthday I know that there are more years to come and I will leave thirteen one day

# data[].attributes.body
This is thirteen

Thirteen is growing up

Considering yourself as a teen.

You feel more mature

Almost like you know everything

but you were just about the same as before.

Thirteen is procrastinating to do your homework

Then stressing out to finish it later

Finally then satisfied you got it in on time.

Thirteen is staying up late

Then realising you have to wake up early the very next day

Tired once you are done with your day

You fall asleep then repeat the cycle.

At this age you know you will learn more,

You will know things you didn’t before,

But still know that you are still just as the same a few months before.

This is thirteen.

# data[].attributes.body
This Is Twelve

This is Twelve.

This is the age,

Where you finally need to grow up.

This is the age,

Where you are busy everyday.

This is Twelve.

This is the age,

When you care what people think of you.

This is the age,

Where new responsibilities are expected of you.

This is Twelve.

This is the age,

Where you make your own decisions.

This is the age,

Where you get to decide how your day is going to go.

This is Twelve.

This is the age,

Where your choices define you.

This is the age,

That you get to decide what path you will go down.

# data[].attributes.body
This Is Twelve

Twelve is running around with your friends,

Playing sports after school,

And trying to get your homework done.

Twelve is watching PG 13,

Even though you are still not really supposed to.

It’s being one of the youngest kids in the grade,

But still trying to fit in.

You feel older, more mature,

The kids in the grade below you are so immature,

Even though you were there a few months ago,

And you still have a goofy side.

Twelve is still young,

Trying to have fun without getting in trouble.

Twelve is amazing,

Twelve is great.

This is twelve.