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Poetry: The future

by Alita Mccaleb

Generation ?

As most of my generation discovered
the mall, cell phones,
Abercrombie, silicone implants,
I only wanted to coexist.
I was desperately trying to cling to a simpler reality
but keeping sane seemed viciously impossible.
Too late for the Prozac generation
and not quite a Ritalin baby,
I sought out anything I could get into my brain
long enough to calm my swaying emotions;
and when I finally discovered lithium,
it was seven seconds too late
because by then, it interfered with my self-medication
and I was so much more addicted than I ever would admit.
Now, as most of my generation is midway through college,
deciding on the direction of their future,
mine has long been decided for me.
I'm still thankful though...I realize now that I know
more than I ever thought I did,
even though at 19 I feel 43
and mostly wish I'd done more traveling.
If I am a student, then let the pavement be my chalkboard,
the people I meet, my teachers;
and let my path never cross the same place twice.

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA