I Remember Looking Down
I remember waking up eyes stuck to the ground
I remember feeling the weight in my steps, pound for pound
Here’s what I remember most … I remember looking down
“Chin up” my parents would say
“Come on, it's time for a new day!”
I didn’t want to listen I wanted to say
“Can I stay home and look at the ground all day?”
I remember walking to the classroom looking at the tile
I remember thinking I can hear everyone smile
Here’s what I remember most … I remember looking down
“Look out the window” my teacher would say
“Come on everybody, look at this wonderful day!”
I didn’t want to listen I wanted to say
“Can I stay in my seat and look at the ground all day?”
I remember the line to recess looking at the shoes in front of me
I remember listening to my classmates as happy as can be
Here’s what I remember most … I remember looking down
“What’s wrong?” my friends would say
“Come on, we’re going to play a new game today!”
I didn’t want to listen I wanted to stay
“You all have fun I’m going to look at the ground all day”
They led me by the hand and we ran
I remember the trees flying by
I remember the birds saying hi
Here’s what I remember most … I remember looking forward
I remember feeling the weight in my steps, pound for pound
Here’s what I remember most … I remember looking down
“Chin up” my parents would say
“Come on, it's time for a new day!”
I didn’t want to listen I wanted to say
“Can I stay home and look at the ground all day?”
I remember walking to the classroom looking at the tile
I remember thinking I can hear everyone smile
Here’s what I remember most … I remember looking down
“Look out the window” my teacher would say
“Come on everybody, look at this wonderful day!”
I didn’t want to listen I wanted to say
“Can I stay in my seat and look at the ground all day?”
I remember the line to recess looking at the shoes in front of me
I remember listening to my classmates as happy as can be
Here’s what I remember most … I remember looking down
“What’s wrong?” my friends would say
“Come on, we’re going to play a new game today!”
I didn’t want to listen I wanted to stay
“You all have fun I’m going to look at the ground all day”
They led me by the hand and we ran
I remember the trees flying by
I remember the birds saying hi
Here’s what I remember most … I remember looking forward
This poem is copyright (©) Adam Howard 2023

About the Writer
Adam Howard
Adam has taught elementary school for five years and will be teaching a middle school alternative teaching program for students that are experiencing motivational challenges this upcoming school year.