On Turning 16

for Amira & Zara

Back in the day, maps changed
like moods.

The Age of Exploration, I mean.
Charted courses going out of date.

Oceans being bigger than they seemed.
16 is an ocean of grand emotion.

16 is not always so sugary sweet.
HERE BE MONSTERS ancient mapmakerss

used to label their creations.
Here at 16, to0, monsters surely be.

But whatever. That's okay.
We are going to slay them all.