Ring My Bell

By Jo-Ryan Salazar

Poem 5: Chiyo == Prodigal Daughter

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It isn't easy being me.
But I guess you can say it is.

I don't know how I knew everything in this world.
It's scary, and yet, it's beneficial.
There are few geniuses that can know what it takes
To be the best person you can be
At age ten.

I know too many friends.
I am overwhelmed.
It can get hostile,
And it can also be rewarding.

I know some friends
Who are still as old as me
And they're still in elementary school.

This is what is means to be
What society calls
A genius.

I never told this to my friends,
But I personally feel
There is no such things.

Some people are born smart,
Some people are born dumb,
Some people are born in between.
It's in the genes. It's genetics.

I learned that from reading reference books.

I always try to make sure that everyone knows
What the world is like today.
It makes your mind, your heart, your soul
Smile, because you have someone pint-sized
Who can help you.
(Well, actually, I'm starting to be as tall as them.
I will be. Eventually.)

There are some things that I also get scared of.
Like thunder and lighting.
Or horror stories.
Or even Miss Yukari's driving.

I would want to experience
The pleasure of walking in fields of
Grain under raspberry heaven.
But I don't want to do that now.
I've got my whole life ahead of me.
I don't want to die.
My friends know that.
I love life.

There have been stories
Of people who were "genii,"
(that's correct plural for "geniuses")
And who threw it all away
When they made it to high school.

Not for me. It's the opposite.
They say I don't need to work,
But even though I may be
On track to be
What they call a "debutante,"
I prefer to work hard,
And be just like everyone else.

I know no one who can take that away from me,
And there is no one who can take that away from me.

I can use my hair to fly away,
With my dad, who is as tall
As he wants to be.
I can fly away from here,
And enjoy the view,
Just like my friends.

The sun has come and gone away,
And soon will be graduation day.
I look forward to flying my way
Towards it.
Towards myself.

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End Poem 5