What it means to grow up | Teen Ink

What it means to grow up

October 7, 2010
By Enjeru-chan BRONZE, South Holland, Illinois
Enjeru-chan BRONZE, South Holland, Illinois
4 articles 3 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.&rdquo;<br /> &mdash;<br /> Andr&eacute; Gide


I wish I was a little kid again.

Your closest friends
become your worst enemies, lollipops
turn into cigarettes,
the innocent ones
turn into s****,
homework
goes in the trash,
soda
becomes vodka,
kisses
turn into sex.

Remember when getting high
meant swinging on the playground? When protection
meant wearing a helmet?
When the worst thing you could get from the opposite gender
was cooties?
Dad's shoulders
were the highest place on Earth
and mom
was your hero?

Your worst enemies
were your siblings,
race issues
were about who ran the fastest,
your only drug
was cough syrup,
the only thing that hurt you
was skinned knees
and goodbyes
only meant until tomorrow?

And we couldn't wait to grow up...

The author's comments:
Sometimes I feel like everybody around me is growing up too fast...and I'm being left behind.

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This article has 1 comment.


on Oct. 20 2010 at 9:10 pm
FeedTheBirds SILVER, San Diego, California
6 articles 0 photos 82 comments

I really like the first stanza.

But I think the question format you take after that takes away from the poem. don't make them questions. It's a statement about what was and what is now. Which is why i liked your first stanza. It was very authoritative and a great start.