Teenhood

There should be a word

For ages thirteen through seventeen.

There should be a word

Like childhood or adulthood

That describes

Being a teenager.

Adolescence is one, yes

But it doesn't fit.

Teenhood.

Childhood, teenhood, adulthood.

This is an ode to that.

I feel most like myself

In this weird pocket of time

When I am spelling

Or playing

Or practicing

Or studying.

Through everything

Words have not abandoned me.

In teenhood

I won the spelling bee

I made friends

I had fun

I got good grades.

In adolescence I misspelled

I flunked

I screwed up.

Adolescence does not sound fun

And it isn't

But teenhood sounds more like something you could

Possibly

Enjoy

Sometimes.

I feel most like myself when I'm practicing with my friend

When we're learning

Adapting

Growing

Shaping

Forming to fit into each other's personalities.

I feel most like myself

With them

And with my instrument

And pen

In hand.

Teenhood.

Teenhood is those things

Adolescence is not.