At Eighteen

At six it was 

friendships formed.

Secrets shared under the slide,

giggling in the summer sun.

At twelve it was

material goods.

Who had the most toys,

or the best playing cards.

At fifteen it was

love.

Or the concept I assumed

it to be.

At eighteen it is

myself.

I cannot live if I do not know

myself.

Survival has changed;

no longer do we need

just food and shelter.

Now you need to use your

inner compass to point the way.

I can live without friends,

though it would be hard I'd survive.

I can live without materials,

though comfort would be scare.

I can live without love,

though at times it'd be lonely.

I cannot love without myself,

that's plain and true.

So what I desire most

is to remain true

faithful

loving

and knowing

of myself,

and with that I can

live in peace.