1st Place: Sun - Jacob Hauk

 

I once was told never to look at the sun 

As a young boy grinning ear to ear in an open field 

Rolling in the grass freshly wet with morning dew 

Young, innocent, ever playful and filled with glee 

So much, so so much that life had to offer me 

 

Bike rides on dusty backwoods paths 

Driveway games until nights end 

Passing out in bed, then waking up to it again 

The fires of youth burned vigorously 

Days that I thought would have no end 

 

Days to weeks, weeks to months, months to years 

Pretty soon that young boy was getting older 

Voice getting deeper, shoulders getting broader 

An awkward stage to say the least 

Yet so filled with ambition and dedication 

 

Everything at my fingertips, everything was in front of me 

No looking back, because all the good things were ahead 

No stress, just anticipation, no fear, just headstrong pride 

Ready to go, ready to strive, nobody left behind 

The world is my oyster, and I’m going to shuck it 

 

It’s a lot to take in, so much all at once 

Everything going so fast, yet it feels so slow 

Got to do this, make sure to do that, can’t forget about those 

So many people, so many new things, too many new things 

Everything feels required, yet its labeled as “recommended” 

 

Going to bed tired became waking up tired 

Late night games became late night work 

That young boy in that grass field is so out of touch 

Anticipating growing up, is now resenting growing out 

Out: into a world that I thought cared 

 

I wish the world truly cared 

About those birthday parties at a friend’s house 

Or those times I’d scrape my knee on the blacktop 

But I seem to be the only one who does 

Acceptance is the hardest thing in the world 

Even if you can accept, you’ll always wish that you had it back 

 

I once was told never to look at the Sun 

I guess I’ll just have to accept that 

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