15, 10 & Kids

to think that i
will bring forth life— not of her
will, but mine, and say,
this is what you must
or must not be— is cruel.
to help as best i
can, for her heart to
be tender at 20
as if at the time she was
learning to say the alphabet.
i do not seek to possess
like a lover does, no!
i seek to set free a longing
gaze upon the ocean
above the stars.
i am just an outlet to what is to come.

Younglan Talyoung