Teen Poetry Contest Winner for 2000
Pavia Brown
Timber Ridge School, Grade 7

Mama said
             I don't want you hanging 'round the corner.
Mama said
             I don't want you to go marrying no ragabum
             Who'll leave you with thirteen children.
Mama said
             I don't want you smoking and drinking.
Mama said
             I don't want you becoming a thug on the street
             Hustling money the wrong way.
It seems like mama thinks
             I'm a grown woman.
So I said
             Let me be a child!