Fledgling

So much was confusing
Everyone was much, much bigger
The classrooms were enormous
The teacher seemed so far away
     Still I tried to please her
     When I was five.

Limited prowess mostly with pets
Everyone else was in charge
Obligations in the form of lessons
Fear of missing essential questions
     At least I was larger
     When I was ten.

Almost as big as the people around me
Working on form and trailing on function
Testing my friends and labeling foes
Polishing the window of confusion
     Getting smarter
     When I was thirteen.

Big enough, smart enough, really not
Tough enough, hoping nervousness
Was trumped by youthful optimism,
Confusion by emotion's profusion
     Getting ready to fly
     When I was seventeen.