Growing Up, an English Poem
Introduction
The journey from childhood to adulthood is full of obstacles, yet these challenges help us to grow.
Becoming an adult demands a lot from us and when we win whatever small battle life throws at us, we are grateful for the progress made.
We know that we have to keep walking and heading towards the future, even though we do not know what is in store for us. It is the hope that keeps us going.
This is an English poem about what it takes and what it means to be a full-fledged adult in a difficult and often unpredictable world.
***
Poem
They say growing up is
getting old,
but I say growing up is
figuring things out,
knowing which battles
to fight
and which ones
to lose,
and still grow in might.
It is
knowing right from wrong,
and knowing which wrongs
to right and not
write about
not for lack of insight.
It is
not being afraid of the night
that fills the young ones
with dread and fright.
It is standing up
when you feel like
falling down.
It is glowing up
in beauty
and sagacity.
It is having a voice and
using it by choice.
Growing up is
getting bold
and doing things
without being told.
It is following your dreams
and not stopping to
follow other people’s dreams.
It is daring to
be a trailblazer
and not have a single care in the world
about what other people think.
Growing up is
growing into oneself
entirely,
unapologetically.
It is knowing
that your worth
does not depend
on your wealth.
It is knowing that
you have to stand up to your bullies
because you simply cannot
be bullied.
Growing up is
knowing which games of life to play
and which ones to avoid,
at all costs.
It is knowing that time is precious
and running out.
It is knowing
when to jump into the void
and not be afraid of the fall.
It is becoming
stronger both in body
and mind.
Growing up is
knowing that you have the right
to be bright
and that’s all right.
It is allowing oneself
to be happy and silly
at the same time,
and that’s all right.
It is knowing when to
run and when to
stop.
Growing up is
knowing when enough is enough,
and it’s time to move on.
It is letting go of
one’s fears and
facing the future
with no tears.
It is refusing to be
ill-treated,
vehemently!
Valiantly!
It is accepting to be
loved,
truly!
Passionately!
Growing up is owning up
one’s emotions
and embracing them,
decidedly!
Truthfully!
It is knowing that
we are not powerless
but powerful,
wonderfully!
Fully!
It is caring for
oneself,
and for others,
selflessly!
beautifully!!
Growing up is
choosing to cry or to laugh,
to shout or to be quiet,
to react or to stay calm.
It is to strengthen your will,
so that you won’t kill your dreams.
Growing up is going up,
becoming taller, bolder, wiser.
Growing up is loving everyday life
as it comes,
with each passing second!
with each passing breath!
❤️❤️❤️
Further Exploration:
Download worksheets:
- English Poem: Growing Up, with Vocabulary for Talking about Adulthood, Learn English With Africa, May 2021. (Read the poem at your on pace and learn more about what it means to grow up.
Read:
- English Poem: We Men are Equal to Women, Learn English With Africa, March 2019 (This is a poem that tackles the theme of gender equality from men’s point of view. A must-read!
Listen: Growing up, an English Poem
Shop:
About the Author
Thandi Ngwira Gatignol is the founder of Learn English With Africa. She was born on June 11th, 1981 in Blantyre, Malawi. When she was 19, she left her country of birth for France. She currently lives with her two daughters and husband in Poland.
Thandi holds a Bachelor’s degree in English studies obtained at the Université Paris X Nanterre in France and a Certificate in Journalism from Malawi. She has taught English as a French Ministry of Education certified teacher both in France and in Poland. She speaks six languages fluently, including French, Polish and Italian. She is now learning Kiswahili, German and Spanish. Salt No More is her debut novel and you can find her other books here on the website or on Amazon.
Blog Article: English Poem: Growing Up, with Vocabulary for Talking about Childhood and Adulthood (Audio included!), Level A2-B1 © Learn English With Africa, May 2021
