just when we thought you were ready for
eighth grade, the final year of middle school,
you whooped and hollered and sang along
to a show made for two-year-olds

we’re amazed at how accurately
you had the lyrics memorized,
how well you knew the story,
its characters implanted into your brains.

try to keep in mind, young ones,
that you are thirteen, just over a year
from the hard work of high school, and
Dora’s map will not be there to guide you through.