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Everything They Never Knew

At eleven
I knew everything I needed to know

the earth was round
and all boys were obnoxious.

If the answer was no,
I slammed doors and screamed, yes!

If the answer was yes,
I still slammed doors.

I was a woman trapped
in Strawberry Shortcake t-shirts

bedtime restrictions
and chaperoned thinking.

All I wanted
was a chance to breathe on my own

to walk without warnings,
to find a different face on the moon.

I knew everything I needed to know
because I had been born a daughter

wise beyond my years,
I was familiar with the pain of falling down

the beauty of butterflies,
and the places curiosity kissed so gently.

Why couldn’t they see
I was everything they never knew

about me?

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Author notes

Note to Nevadapoet's daughter, Alix:

Alix...I remember. Don't worry. It's supposed to be this way for a while. Then, one day you wake up, and all of the fences have been torn down.

Love, Lane

In a list

A contest entry

    : , Your review:

    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
    • Line numbers  • Invite them to read
    : no Cost: 0 free left 0 points, You have (?)

Comments

1 - 45 of 45

  • missgreenkristine
    September 26
    Edit | Reply
    What's more bling? Some guy wrote that a few comments back? Like you've won another contest or what?


  • Emerald Dog
    September 17, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    I can only echo the plaudits of the multitude that have read and commented on this work. Incredible writing - as ever - and congrats on more bling.

    L&P, K.


  • Mairi bheag gold member
    September 15, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    I knew this would get a podium place too!


  • nevadapoet
    September 15, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    This sounds just like me...it's so unfair!! I like this alot!! Thank you for accepting our invitation.
    Alix


  • whispernthedark Greeters member
    September 12, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    you hit it... it's not easy being a girl, great write, best of luck in the contest.

    ♥
    whisper


  • PoesyPeruser
    September 10, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    You captured the impatient brink of womanhood. It made me smile to remember also.
    Poesy

  • davidwright silver member
    September 9, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    The youthful dream of becoming a free spirit. I know it well. An excellent write and an enjoyable read. Happy trails


  • Sesheta
    September 9, 2008
    Edit | Reply


  • moon2u
    September 9, 2008
    Edit | Reply

    Ah yes...I remember it well

    You make it seem like yesterday
    I love the poem

  • Topnotchsy
    September 8, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Don't recall if I commented on this yet, but I enjoyed it again, so I'll comment (again?)

    I actually just took out a book from the library called "The Case Against Adolescence" that works to show how much of the problems that adolescents deal with stem from being treated like children and not given responsibilities which had me thinking about this age coming to this poem. At 21 I'm just a few short years removed (and sometimes I feel I'm still there) so I related to this one tremendously. As always, a great write.


  • PerVirtuous
    September 7, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Strawberry Shortcake indeed! I shall have my 12 year old daughter read this. Nuff said.


  • Jersene gold member
    September 7, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    You bring back memories of the arguments my mom and I used to have, and probably the ones I have to look forward to with my own daughter, lol.

    You are what poetry is all about (or it is, at least for me)...penning life in a way we can relate. Excellent, as always Lane


  • nordicsky silver member
    September 6, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Yet another poem that makes me think. I wish we could see things through the eyes of children; the world looks a very different place.

    I think being a parent was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I tried so hard, honest I did.

    I think I would have enjoyed having a daughter that screamed yes when I said no and slammed doors.

    Thanks for posting this,
    Love, Peter


  • Malabu
    September 6, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    it's all been said! about the poet and the poem...i will only add...there is much much more...beneath the surface...to which all of us can relate...though we leave it usaid

  • luvdrkchocolate
    September 6, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Oh, this is so great! I love poems about when people were kids. You'd think you'd see more of those but for some reason a lot of people don't reflect that far back in their work. And it's a shame because there's all kinds of interesting stories. I remember thinking I knew everything too! How funny. I really enjoyed this one!


  • tomisb
    September 6, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    The gift of childhood is the safety of the ego centric conceits it allows us to drape ourselves with. You capture it beautifully here.
    Love, Tom B.


  • fanaa
    September 6, 2008
    Edit | Reply

    wow !

    i can so realate.. love everyline of it...always looking forward to ur poems. keep it up.


    • Dalaney gold member
      September 6, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      thank you very much for reading Love Lane


  • paulcreates silver member
    September 6, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    You're beautiful in every way Lane...and so is this PAGE! What a great design!



    Paul


  • banrion
    September 6, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    That is just brilliant!

    SJ


    • Dalaney gold member
      September 6, 2008
      Edit | Reply

      Slayed

      I am SO happy you enjoyed my poem. Thank you very much. Love, Lane


  • Shadow Lynx
    September 6, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Its not fair im a guy, how am i supposed to write something as fantastic as this lol. Incredible write, my daughter is eighteen and she read this and she applauds you too. I can only relate in the manner that my sister slammed a lot of doors at that age too Superb Dalaney!!!


  • EvilKate
    September 6, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    No critique, just a bookmarking.




  • Cannonsfire
    September 6, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    And just when the boys think they know us we change again, that's the beauty of being a woman...change is constant.

  • Mairi bheag gold member
    September 6, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    The poem says it all about the subject matter. Perfectly.

    The long line of comments below say it all about the poem. And the poet.


  • Peteskid gold member
    September 5, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Perspectives. Growing up, so much change so many new and different things and the impatience, later i agree so many more things make sense...sound advice here...PK


  • sailor ptolema
    September 5, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    inspiring.

    You are one the main reasons I stay on AP... just knowing I can read your poetry. .


  • Pure Thought silver member
    September 5, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    20 years, or so, later the guys catch up. LOL


  • rhondasail
    September 5, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    I knew everything I needed to know
    because I had been born a daughter...says it all for me...Lucky for us you were born a daughter too! ...The Voice is everywoman's...the spirit-totally yours. Peace, Rhonda


  • JohnnyD gold member
    September 5, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    beautiful write, as always, however I would imagine that concerning the downed fences you kicked them down with your Strawberry Shortcake karate and outright determination. Nothing wrong with that, nothing at all.

    Great write

    and BTW, remember 'about' your writes?



    Len


  • Swangrnv gold member
    September 5, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    yeah..

    Somehow you took me back to that age..I knew everything! l.o.l. I thought I knew more than anyone who knew me, which was terrible..even more so because I was shy, so they never knew I thought that way..thank god I now know that I don't know much of anything! l.o.l. go figure!


  • notorious gold member
    September 5, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Oh my GOD.
    ...I don't even have to be eleven to feel like this.

    Normally I don't fancy titles that are incorporated in the poem...but..."everything they never knew" is a damn good phrase, especially in this context.

    Is the earth actually round? ...it was Christopher Columbus who discovered that, right? I thought that was disproved. Hmm...I will have to Wikipedia that LMAO.

    "If the answer was yes,
    I still slammed doors."
    Holy crap!!!
    I feel like this a lot. LMAO
    Yes or no...it never feels right.
    Life is ironic, and irony is one fucked up mofo...
    And plus...the simplicity in this is so full of depth I could DROWN in your ability to make me relate to the voice of the poem.

    "bedtime restrictions
    and chaperoned thinking."
    LOVE!!!!!! The Strawberry Shortcake thing is pretty amusing as well...
    And as for bedtimes...well, I never followed them, so my parents gave up quite a while ago. "chaperoned thinking" makes me think of no freedom in speech...I just complained to my best friend today that "freedom of speech" doesn't really exist.

    "to find a different face on the moon" strikes me as slightly abstract...but, the understandable kind. Even better!

    That last stanza of feeling misunderstood...
    just wow.
    You convey feelings into words of...
    well, I think 'wow' said it all Lane.

    I have to bookmark this...again.



    Jessica


  • charcoal
    September 5, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    love your poem
    the eleven years old that I used to be is nodding her approval
    though Alix may not agree with "all boys are obnoxious" part LOL


  • Aussie Gypsy gold member
    September 5, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    I think you just described my childhood. Sometimes it is hard to see an end to the unhappiness of childhood. You are the mistress of the written word. Best to you


  • The Drifter
    September 5, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    A very sweet poem--daughters are so very special and grand daughters.
    Thank you for this poem--A good write anda great read.
    bw


  • arafura gold member
    September 5, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Lovely. How cute those Strawberry Shortcake t-shirts are! Glad you are all growed up now!

  • silverfish
    September 5, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    i wonder if children wise beyond their years because they know more of pain than of loving kisses, tend to grow up saints or martyrs? -phish

  • Topnotchsy
    September 5, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    I assume "Alix" is your daughter? You have a special ability to truly absorb a moment or idea and all the feelings that go into that second or thought, and offer them on paper in a way that reminds us so vividly how it once was.
    Based on the Author notes it seems you are writing this to tell your daughter that you remember how difficult growing up was, and that you are there for her in a way others may not have been there for you.
    It's a beautiful piece. I hope I am understanding what you have done here correctly.


    • Dalaney gold member
      September 5, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      No, Alix is the Contest Hostess's daughter Thanks for reading Love, Lane


  • Lj-
    September 5, 2008
    Edit | Reply

    I really liek this.
    It's so pretty.

    Best of luck!


  • Erik Ambrose gold member
    September 5, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    How do you do it --
    write thoughtful, beautiful poetry
    time after time
    after time?
    And it seems with such ease,
    so I constantly read
    hoping you inadvertantly
    teach me.
    You are my inspiration.


  • moluv10
    September 5, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Excellent!! You blow me away every time i read your work. "why couldn't they see I was everything they never knew about me?" i love this! Good luck in the contest.


  • cricketjeff gold member
    September 5, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    That, has to be
    About a perfect a take on the contest as there could be.
    Wonderful stuff

1 - 45 of 45