I knew one day I’ll be 18

I couldn’t wait to graduate 

Working part time after school 

Making a $100 every two weeks

Made me feel rich indeed

Until I was 19 during college 

My parents moved out of state 

I was left behind, didn’t know about life

Had to split the rent and bills with my sibling 

From getting a job in a busy retail store and getting home at 1am 

To waking up at 7am to catch the bus 

To get to college at 8am 

Having chores to do from cooking dinner 

To cleaning the restroom toilet and bathtub.

Angry at my parents for leaving me behind 

I learned from this experience 

That I’m not a kid anymore

It made me who I am today

An independent woman.