Route 7 Review | Page 28

Fifteen BY Teddie-Lynn Cervera My mother told me when I’m young  Everything will feel like the end of the world That love isn’t always what it seems What she didn’t tell me was how bad it would hurt To wake up one morning And realize I traded it all in  Unconditional love for temporary lust Sunday night dinners for late night mistakes One heart for one half  I went to church every Sunday But could no longer hear  Over my screaming conscience I traded in my innocence  To be young and in love at fifteen Because I didn’t know at the time That love isn’t always what it seems Teddie-Lynn Cervera is a writer of poetry and fiction. She is studying English Education at Dixie State University and is currently working on a fiction collection of short stories.