Tall
Always tallest, from kindergarten to graduation
“Big Laura” a dubious distinction bestowed by a teacher when there were two Laura’s
Clumsy in corrective shoes I despised
Didn’t want glasses, didn’t have a choice
“Eventually I’ll grow out of this awkward phase, right?”
Flat-footed, frequently tripping, falling spectacularly
Gangly, long skinny stick-legs always in a tangle
Hovering over the heads of always-shorter-than-me friends
“If I could be petite, would I want to be?”
Just a thought…
Kinship with my younger sister, nearly as tall
“Lope like a small pony” said Mom, drawing awareness to my strides
Making my best friend take three steps to one of mine as we walked to school
Not aware of it at the time
Oblivious to how little others noticed my stature
“Pull in your tummy, stand up straight” Mom instructed
Quiet, shy, attempting to blend in
Regularly wishing boys would get their growth spurts
“Surely you play basketball… ” a common and unoriginal assumption
“Tall! All Miss America’s are tall” Mom pointed out as we watched televised pageants
Undeniable, though I was no beauty queen
Valued her intent all the same.
Wary of short boys who’s snide remarks I learned to ignore; their “short-comings” I accepted later
“X” marks the spot on the wall when at last I stopped growing
Youthful yet often mistaken for older
Zero chance that I can change my tallness, finally embracing it.
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A poem in the Abecedarian style, by Spence’s Girl, standing 6 ft 1/4 inches at my tallest…..
Wonderful poem. I’m glad you are embracing your tallness! I had those lovely clunky corrective shoes when I was little too and I spent a lot of time tripping over my own feet. I still do only now I try to embrace my clumsiness! 😊
Thank you! I ended up with size 11 feet so the tripping and overall walking into things continues to this day. Clumsy girls unite!
I absolutely love this abecedarian poem!! It is beautifully written and knowing you as well as I do, I still learned some things I didn’t know about your feelings on this subject!
Thank you! You were right there by my side through those years, walking quickly to keep up with me!
I really like this! I can identify with some of it, and like you have learned to embrace and appreciate the things that make me unique and who I am!
Thank you for your comments. I believe with age comes self-acceptance. And you’re right, being unique and your authentic self is a wonderful thing.