Life at Twenty-Two
James Elliott * Track #3 On Manifest Destiny
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Life at Twenty-Two by James Elliott
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James ElliottAbout
Life at Twenty-Two is the third poem from “Manifest Destiny.” Here the narrator gives reader’s their first glimpse into his troubled past. While the poem starts off negatively the narrator ends in a place of hopefulness and promises to accomplish his goals or give up his life trying.
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Life at Twenty-Two Annotated
If you don’t get this that’s ok,
I forgive you, but get this:
I don’t know what you’ve been through,
But this is about what I went through.
Saw fear in my mom’s eyes when she heard, “The rent’s due.”
I used to watch my dad booze up.
I’m surprised he never threw up.
Threw punches at me though.
I remember vividly, so
These memories won’t let me go...
Trailing off til’ I sleep.
Still won’t see tears on my cheek,
However, hear weakness in the way that I speak.
I used to feel like I was free.
When I was three
Years younger life was funner.
Now I’m stuck and it’s a bummer.
However, eyes transfixed I’ll fix this Summer.
Come Fall, I’ll Rise.
To the Heavenly skies,
but I’ll be alive.
Or cross my heart, hope to die.