Roots In Childhood

 

Fourteen children grew up together

Over seven years, some left, some arrived

One left, the returned, only to leave again

 

Growing from shy four year olds

Starting school for the first time

Into eleven year olds looking forwards

 

As high school approached

Three would leave, one forever

Not dead, but just as good as

 

Although we’d changed in seven years

The next five held the most change yet

As we grew into young adults

 

Now as the next step draws closer

How different everything is

Think of all we once shared

How much of it remains?

 

But though our leaves and branches

Are as varried as the trees themselves

Are roots are still the same

Still entwined beneath the earth.