This article was originally published by Cape Fear Voices/The Teen Scene . It has been republished with permission as part of We Are’s international student voice partnership. 

As I stand on the edge and see,

I look at the big world before me.

No, I do not want to go, but I know

That I will always have a place to call home.

The smell of food in the kitchen,

The everlasting laughter and love too,

Make me know that whatever I do,

That I will always have a place to call home.

As I grow and stretch my wings to fly,

I turn back and hear my mother cry.

My parents they assure me though,

That I will always have a place to call home.

Wherever I am. Whenever I need.

In the world I am merely  a seed,

Waiting to grow, having only to show,

That I will always have a place to call home.

As I prepare to leave the nest,

My parents do more than just wish me the best

They hug me and kiss me and tell me so

That I will always have a place to call home.

I leave not yet, but my time is near.

I know I should have nothing to fear.

Changing and growing, but I will never forget,

That I will always have a place to come home.