Standing there by the old fence
She sure is a pretty sight
He forgot just how her eyes do shine
Under the bright sun light
He ain’t seen her in over month
Truth be told not since that night
And he knows the call bringing him here
Can’t be for something right
She tells him the baby is yours
And he knows she ain’t lying
Inside her a life slowly grows
But inside him he’s slowly dying
Being a dad at seventeen
Wasn’t part of his plan
A baby makes him a father
But it don’t make him a man
She leans against the old fence
Not enjoying the cooling breeze
The silence between them is deafening
It’s not meant for times like these
She remembers how he held her close that night
How he made her weak in the knees
Not this distance she feels now standing next to him
Like she’s got some kind of disease
She tells him the baby is yours
And he knows she ain’t lying
She should be happy about this life that grows
But she’s on the verge of crying
Being a mom at sixteen
Wasn’t part of her plan
A baby makes her a mother
But it don’t make her a woman
He’s thinking how two together
Can sometimes add another one
She’s thinking she can’t raise herself
Let alone a daughter or a son
Both want to stand their own ground
Both of them want to run
And neither wants to dare to think
What the other thinks should be done
If he offers his hand would she be his wife
And somehow together maybe make a life
Or let it be something that they just let go
The distant dreams only the two of them will know
She tells him the baby is yours
And he knows she ain’t lying
No matter what they decide
Its knot that’s never untying
Having a child in their teens
Wasn’t part of their plan
A baby makes them parents
But she’s a long way from a woman,
And he’s a long way from a man
dVerse Poets Pub | Open Link Night #291
Today Mish tends the bar for Open Link Night at dVerse Poets where there are no prompts. Post the poem you want.
National Poetry Month Day 29 in a narrative mood.
Raivenne-lations 
An often repeated scenario – your words do it justice.
Very much so. Thanks, Ron.
A cautionary tale – you two line repeat nails it:
“she’s a long way from a woman,
And he’s a long way from a man”
That it does. Thank you, Scott.
What do I think? Well, I think this poem could be put to music …. great job.
Why thank you, Helen.
I agree with Helen, this definitely needs to be set to music. Part of a musical! I wonder what they will do? I love the subtle changes each time the refrain comes.
I guess it does have a a lyrical, I guess country vibe. Thanks Msjadeli.
You’re welcome, Raivenne.
I agree that your poem should be put to music, Raivenne; it has all the ingredients of a classic song. I love the way you set the scene with the old fence and the bright sun light and suggest what is to follow with the fact that ‘he knows the call bringing him here / Can’t be for something right’. Although it’s a well-known scenario, you’ve made it immediate, especially in the lines:
‘Not this distance she feels now standing next to him
Like she’s got some kind of disease’
and
‘A baby makes them parents
But she’s a long way from a woman,
And he’s a long way from a man’.
Thank you Kim. I’m just telling a story, I didn’t think of it as song until I read the comments. 🙂
The repetition added to the confusion and fear. This was absolutely wonderful. Your cadence and rhymes were spot on!
Thank you, Susan!
You’ve summed up so well a situation many people face: becoming parents when still children themselves, at least emotionally. In fact, sixteen is so young, at least they will have some life left once the children have grown!
“at least they will have some life left once the children have grown!” That is very true. Thanks, Ingrid.
I’m saying that from my perspective as one who started a family quite late and who’s feeling quite used up 😅
Excellent work Raivenne, very well written!
Thanks, Rob.
A common story so well told. I liked the voice of the poem, the rhythm and how it leaves you wondering at the end.
Thank you, Mish.
A tale oft told. … the heartbreaking journey from child to woman and man. Beautifully written.
Thank you.
I so enjoyed this sad and tragic story. Beautifully written. There is truth in these last 3 lines:
A baby makes them parents
But she’s a long way from a woman,
And he’s a long way from a man
That there is. Thank you.
This:
A baby makes him a father
But it don’t make him a man
So true for both of them… am I the only one who hears Bruce Springsteen “The River” in your poem?
Thanks Björn. It’s been so long since I’ve heard the song I’ve forgotten about it. I can see, or rather hear, the comparison.