“Hold on Tight” by Samantha Lee
April 3, 2025
Hold on tight
To the light shining through the cracks of parted branches
Hold on tight
To the birds flying from tree to tree, singing a song that sounds like
Hold on tight
To the tiny feet tripping over misshapen concrete, grassy fields, and the smell of jasmine
Hold on tight
To the blue cooler full of Otter Pops, given to award a job well done
Hold on tight
To the echo of laughter, to the silence of games well-played, a day enjoyed
Hold on tight
To the dried popsicle on small fingers, gone unnoticed
Hold on tight
To the cold tile floor
Hold on tight
To the water washing the hours of fun down the drain
Hold on tight
To the murmurs of “I wish this could last forever”
Hold on tight
Hold on tight
Hold on tight
Tighten your grip as you hold on
to this memory
This poem was written by Samantha Lee, as a 9th grader at Nathan Hale High School with WITS writer-in-residence Jay Thompson. Performed at the Seattle Arts & Lectures Literary Arts event with Abby Jimenez at Town Hall Seattle on Thursday, April 3, 2025.