An Ode to the Teens
“You’re the fire and the flood” -Vance Joy
Teens are a revelation and a joy. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
They are the fire and the flood. The burning and the waking, the quaking and the trees (growing leaves) that shake our house.
Their leaves are red and orange and yellow.
Their fire can scathe. Their joy floods the very essence of my being.
Their cells course within me. They are my loves. They come from my body. From Chris’ body. From both of us yet they make something entirely new, entirely true.
They are the fire and the flood.
They wake up around 8:30 at night. They share their music and recount parts of their day. Our living room is a stage and we are just lit up: brighter than a Christmas tree burning in the backyard one month after December 24th.
Teens are a revelation and a joy. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
They light our house up while burning it down. Their friends’ jackets and shoes scattered everywhere. After they leave for the choir concert, every single piece of my black clothing litters surfaces. One teen wears my tank top as a skirt. Another wears my black work pants.
Where are my work pants? I just don’t care. Burn it down. Light it up. Bring the revelation, take a seat for the joy.