My poem was on the transition of growing up in life. I think it is a reflection we think about as we make choices for our futures. We also look back at how fast life goes by. Sometimes I feel we are caught up on the speed or answer that we are suppose to stick to, throughout college right after high school. I shared briefly my experience as I wanted to shed light on how it is okay to grow up and be unsure about what future career you would like for yourself. It is okay to figure things out with time and be open for yourself when you are exploring new journeys that could potentially inspire you into a field.

Often times we add extra pressure to ourselves and we need to be aware that we also deserve to take care of ourself while figuring things out. Our outcomes will align with our purpose in life and we shouldn’t feel left behind because we are still learning everyday in new ages.

Written By: Andrea Roman

Poem Title: Following Time

One day you are 5 years old

All I can think about is my favorite bakery afterschool

With my favorite 5 sprinkle cookies

One day you are 13 years old

I remember getting a new haircut to trim my ends

One day you are 15 years old flying by and now you are 18 years old

Waking up early at 6am and piles of homework was my struggle

It didn’t compare to my main struggle of having to be ready with an answer to 

the question “what do you want to focus on as your career”? 

My mind is froze 

My mind cannot grasp an answer to this question

I was left feeling nervous, bitter, and shameful

I just knew I wanted to go back in time when

life was easier as a kid

When I only had to focus on reading and math

When I had recess and went on field trips to the Bronx zoo

I can now say that at 23 years old I feel more confident and driven

I am a first generation student and I am Mexican American

There is a lot of bumps in our personal life

I see now through my growth that I just had to follow time

What is meant for you will come back to light

Now I am just following time as I go easy on myself

Because it was okay to not have all of those answers yet

One day you turn 23 years old and you start to notice

that you were just learning to enter the real world

I allow myself to reflect and laugh and grow in this journey

because following time will let me continue to explore 

what I seek passion for