adventures of a typical high school student

I feel like a flower girl at the end of the aisle,
nothing left in my basket but rose petals

scattered everywhere, left behind and never
to be looked at as if they are actually beautiful

again. Someone will sweep them up, clean
up the mess like always. Maybe it will be me.

People ask too much, and I don't talk enough.
That's how you end up being a flower girl,

or anything for that matter-- you say yes, or
you fail to say no. And maybe you won't end

up like me, with pieces of yourself scattered
over an aisle that will be cleaned up by the

end of the night, never to be spoken about
again outside of describing pictures jammed

in frames and stories about first dances 
at the reception. I will always be there, 

but it may never be remembered. I hope your
pieces stay together, and your puzzle is completed.

I hope you enjoyed this piece! It was inspired by a combination of things. I was reminiscing on being a flower girl in my cousin’s wedding when I was only about five years old. Additionally, I was reflecting on the dozens of things I currently have on my plate and how everyone is asking a lot of me at the moment. I’m the one who can control my involvement and say no, but I hate letting people down. Regardless, I know things will eventually get better and this will be a time I remember only vaguely.

Please feel free to leave feedback and writing challenges in the comments. Stay safe and healthy out there.

Brooke