Richard-Jamaal Keen Poet Rhyme

Another Birthday

I should be marveled for reaching another birthday
Sadly I do not feel this way
It feels like there's too much responsibility 
In this small facility
Too much for me to handle
Feel like a small dog, with big fears
Like a cocker spaniel
Feel younger as I grow older
Like a planet is on each shoulder
That's right, it got worse as I turned nineteen
Suddenly the world wants something from Richard Keen
I don't mean to be mean
It's just an inherited gene
Lord grant me a reprieve
So no longer I grieve
I've given it my all
When will I receive
Another birthday is what I don't need
Feeling unappreciated is a feeling I can't fake
Due to lack of a birthday cake
Getting older is a bee that I can't shake
I'm in the meat of my maturing years, I feel like steak
Sacrifices get made, but at what stake
Trying to keep promises for myself that I shouldn't have to make
Nineteenth birthday, how do I celebrate
With a party, methanol
Or alcohol
Not at all
I sit back and reminisce
My first job
My first kiss
My high school years
My first and last tears
I'm a man facing my fears
As they get near
We get older with each birthday
But it doesn't take the kid in me away
Mature faster, I wish I could
I would
But like everybody else, I'm in my 2nd childhood
I shudder to see what happens when I turn twenty
My worries will grow from a lot to plenty
But it's all good, because I embrace responsibility 
To the best of my ability
Tackle obstacles
Fast agility
I'm the only man in this vicinity
Every year I reach, is matched with growing ambition
Lord grant me longevity, more life extension
50 years from today, hopefully I'm retired with a healthy pension
Relieve me of tension
Not yet focused on children
Because I'm looking for millions
Another birthday, I've reached one year older
My hormones are hot, heart turns colder
Figure out a safer way 
To see another birthday

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Rhonda Hero Aka Hero-Wilson July 11, 2010 at 11:06 AM Congrats on this being featured! Rhonda Hero

Carol Sunshine Brown July 6, 2010 at 3:52 AM Congratulations on your poetry being featured this week at PoetrySoup Richard. May you have many more features. Love,Carol

Adeleke Adeite July 5, 2010 at 11:33 AM Congrats on having your poem being featured on the Poetry Soup homepage this week, you are such a great talent! keep up the great writes, and enjoy the honor. Love, Adeleke

Janette Fisher July 5, 2010 at 7:47 AM Many congrats on your feature this week. I see talent runs in the family...Rgds Janette

Carolyn Devonshire July 4, 2010 at 9:00 AM Stay young at heart and let the birthdays fly by, RJK. You summed up many of the feelings I have on my birthday. And any brother of dear Audrey is a friend of mine! Love, Carolyn

Andrea Dietrich July 3, 2010 at 11:50 PM I see you are Audrey's brother? how cool. She is an awesome lady! Luv, Andrea

Audrey Haick July 3, 2010 at 3:27 PM Little brother, Happy B' Day!! I may be late but it's better late than never, they say! Wish you all the best! Richard Jamaal u should be enjoying yourself, doing all the fun things, like amusement parks, dating + the responsibility part. But have more fun before children enter the pic. By the way, how have u been? Haven't been here lately. Back in school.. so that keeps me real busy. Have to go check out more of your work. God bless and Love ya! Your sis. Audrey

Andrea Dietrich July 1, 2010 at 10:08 PM Hey, did you just turn 19 today, JUly 1? This is my hubbie's birthday. I noted the slant of this poem. It sounds a lot like my husband. he is always feeling morose. Just curious! And this was an interesting poem. LUv, Andrea

Sara Kendrick July 1, 2010 at 4:12 PM Well, I gathered from this that you turned nineteen...That is a good year and I wish you many more to enjoy health and happiness..Keep the creative pen flowing..Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my work..Sara

Poet Destroyer A July 1, 2010 at 11:54 AM Pondering thoughts all due to a birthday, yeah I understand and as the years go by it gets to real and then to think back makes things grow distant to our thoughts, love your ending...P.D.