Great Oak Gazette

Alaina Grace Crabtree’29

Staff Writer

Ten seconds to reflect on memories-
lingering, loud, and bright. I carried them longer than I deserved;
now I’m ready to set them down.

Eight fears lurk in my shadows,
stretching long and whispering lies.
They stay behind me, not in front of me.
In light’s presence, they’re gone.

Seven promises bloom beneath doubt:
always grow, try, and forgive.
Roots crack through challenges;
They reach for brightness ahead.

Six unexplored dreams wait,
like beacons at the end of a sea.
They’re challenging and uncertain,
yet still alive and possible.

Five seconds to gather my courage—
to finally say goodbye and keep moving,
whether the future is awaiting me or not.

Four deep breaths to steady a storm within
It is a chance to inhale hope,
as well as a chance to exhale doubt.

Three words to carry forward
belief, faith, and change.
It may be a laughable melody, but not to me.

Two paths meet—
one behind and one ahead.
The first, precisely made from yesterday;
the other, still unwritten.

One moment of silence, a reverent pause.
Before everything begins, I imagine
possibilities.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six,
five, four, three, two, one.
The clock dings, and everything’s one.
With that, the cycle begins once again.