The following piece is published as part of our TLM Young Writers series, a dedicated section of The London Magazine‘s website which showcases the work of exceptional young talent aged between 13-21, from the UK and beyond.
Amy Hopwood
The Teardrop Tree
Do you remember climbing that tree?
Our rocketship to journeys far beyond adult comprehension.
Time and time again, playing the same game for forever
but never once getting bored.
You were always braver than me.
My countless attempts to reach the summit,
only to be pulled down by the gravity of my fear.
Such twisted branches were perfectly entwined
with our notions of a world yet to be explored.
Do you remember planning a future
in which we were unseparated by even a day?
Do you still think of all those smiles,
stored safely in frames on the wall?
Although we outgrew the space between the branches
I hope we didn’t outgrow the memories.
Even though that tree is no longer blowing in the wind,
just a stump, executed for the sake of a view,
does that mean our time together died with it?
Let’s keep the past, idyllic and unchanged,
awaiting the day when we meet again.
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Amy Hopwood is 19 years old.
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