They said, "Happy birthday,"
But what kind of birthday is this?
Where sweet 16 feels as bitter 16,
Where growing up feels like a curse
And my world sucks.

Words flicker on my face; a smile I fake.
Candles flicker on the cake; a radiance I fake.
Inside, I'm lost with the drastic change;
Outside, I try to control my rage.

The clock ticks on, gradually and steady,
But it moves forward; I feel unready,
Each tick echoing, saying, "I don't want to grow up... no... no... no."

My heart feeling the ache,
My mind feeling the fear.
There are inner whispers of courage,
Saying you have to face the change,
To let go of 15, with the bitter-sweet 16.

I try to embrace the future, even though it feels unsure,
I try to accept the pain which I must endure,
Letting go of the past with a bitter-sweet sigh,
Accepting the future with a brave cry.