I knew

When I was little

Just past 5,

Just learning of the world

I already knew about the hatred

I already knew about the little girls and boys that didn't get along

That didn't like other kids

Because of how they looked

Or how they dressed

Or how they acted

I already knew about grown-ups

Or at least I thought I did

And how the weight of the world was on their shoulders

How it was their responsibility to make sure I got to school

To make sure we were fed

And warm

To make sure everything was okay

I already knew about the news

And how it wasn't always good

I already knew about differences

How some people were mean

How some people were nice

How some people had homes

How some people didn't

How some people spoke English

How some people didn't

How some people were strangers

How some people were friends

I already knew about so many things

And yet

I knew nothing at all