I'm not 14 anymore
Suddenly, 14 became distant

I’m not 14 anymore
Is it in the way I dress?
I got over the crop top and mesh.
Or perhaps how I speak?
Well, I barely chat — guess I was full of mystique
My treasured books, my beloved band — I no longer talk of the same topic.
The weight of what’s to come, the ghosts of what’s forsaken
They’re the new verses that awaken
I’m not 14 anymore
When was the last time I saved my bias’s photo?
How long has it been since I watched their video?
I can’t remember, I lost that FOMO
I’m no longer the teenage girl
Living on tweets, streams and votes are where worries swirl
Life happened, things swerved
I have drifted from my own little world
I’m not 14 anymore
Is it how I carry my mind’s weight?
I crossed teenage angst, but crisis is on my plate
I survived and I’m surviving
That concert that once kept me breathing?
I saw it thrice, in moments of fleeting
And suddenly, it hits me — I’m not 14 anymore
I found my naive self lifeless, the dreamer in me hopeless
I didn’t want a future, but I spoke of it in hope
I want a future, but I see mists in my scope
I know more, but I had more sapience
Is it my innocence?
I lost my spark, but I was full of it
I gained back my spark, but I don’t have a single bit.
Does it make sense?
I don’t know, I’m not 14 anymore.
About the Creator
fleeting.serenics
with pen, my soul finds voice
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions




Comments (17)
And would that we could have known at the time how precious 14 was and relished it even more. *Sniff-sniff* A great top story and congratulations on being featured in Vocal's 'Creators We're Loving!'
Thank you so much for all the support and positive comments! You guys are amazing ♥️
"Totally agree!"
ahhh this made me smile and ache at the same time... it’s so true how we grow and drift from the things that once meant everything to us. but wow, the way you put it... it’s like you captured growing up in poetry. not sad exactly, just... real. and kind of beautiful too. 🥺❤
This hit like a time capsule cracking open—equal parts nostalgia and quiet revelation. 🕰️ What strikes me most is how you’ve captured evolution not as a straight line, but as layers: the ‘spark’ isn’t lost, just transformed. The teenage fervor for bands and bias photos metabolizes into something deeper—the weight of survival, the poetry of crisis, the courage to stand in life’s ‘mists.’ That line “I want a future, but I see mists in my scope” is hauntingly beautiful. Growth isn’t about trading wonder for wisdom; it’s realizing wonder wears new textures (even when it feels like fading). P.S. The shift from “I didn’t want a future” to “I want a future”—despite the uncertainty—might be the most powerful arc here. That’s not loss of innocence; that’s the birth of resilience. ✨
This piece stays with you long after reading.
Congratulations on your top story 🙏❤️💜
🎉 Congrats on your Top Story! 📰✨ Super proud of you—so well deserved! 💪👏 Keep shining! 🌟😊
Great work
Great work
Omggg, this was soooo relatable! Congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
This was so poignantly reflective, and it felt both sad and fated to be simultaneously—a beautiful and significant reflection of life. Amazing work, I love your writing!
Well done! The intense passions of the 14 year old self would be so exhausting now. For me anyway ;)
first of all, congratulations on your TS. Now. this is brilliantly done. brings back so many memories, some really good, others really silly but hey, isn't that what 14 was supposed to be? This is truly a great piece.
This one really landed for me. Sometimes I get so nostalgic looking back. It's incredible the ways we can miss ourselves. Thank you for writing this piece! Congratulations on Top Story!!
This is so full of emotion! It's like you poured your heart and every rough feeling you felt. Life is just like that. Everything's variable. It happened to me, too. I wonder if I've grown mature or if it's just because I've seen a lot in my teenage years. Whatever it is, one thing's for sure—I miss my carefree laugh, my stupid assumptions, and my fictional way of seeing life. That careless and carefree child has been buried somewhere by life. I can relate to every single word of your poem. It's so touching ❤ Thank you for making my day and giving me warmth by letting me know that I'm not alone in this all 🥺💗
The beauty and curse of growing up. Lovely and reflective poem ❤️ Thank you for sharing~