First Days

By Cory Gennari Pratt

I remember my first day at SAAS. My little feet in bright sneakers touching against the cement. My wide eyes staring at the Temple doors. Streams of students rushing over me.

I remember excitement, Or maybe it was fear. I remember…

I remember block 1. No, A block; Latin, or Writing?

I remember loving Elin, even that first day.

I remember math.

‘Mike’ was his name.

All I remember is rushing to get my meds, Wishing I could shove myself inside my locker, Or maybe that was a metaphor someone in Elin’s class used.

This year I stand tall in front of the gym, Pushing through the crowds, Saying hi to friends , Dangling my legs off of tables, Rolling my eyes at underclassmen.

It’s been six years.

The child I was is simply a distinct memory, Details wiped by time. They were so small and idealistic; I felt so big and world-wise.

I enter senior year now. An adult – almost.

Unrecognizable from the grimace of my eleven-year-old face. I think little-Cory would like me, trust me, No, I think they would fear me, I think they would be in awe.

Time has passed.

I see it in the landscape, The way buildings have grown, Classrooms shifted.

I see it in the way the staff has changed, New policies, new people, new schedules.

Time has passed within me, In the smile on my lips, The pitch of my voice, The scars I have gained, The way I hold myself, I’m older now.

But I wonder if in another six years, As seasons past, and I move forward, I wonder if I’ll look back on this now, If I’ll see myself as oh so young, Naive and anxious, Such a child.

In six years

This shall be a fragment; Words to remember the details wiped by time