Innocence

When people say, “grow up”

Even if they only think it

I want to yell back

“Maybe I don’t want to.”

Maybe I’d like a moment

To feel as young as I can

The things I’ve seen

And the things I’ve felt

Aren’t the simple things

Of childhood

I’ve put distance

Between myself and pain

A voluntary choice

I’ve been in places

Not left alone,

But for a minute

I’ve spoken to children

Who hear things not there

I’ve felt my heart beat

So fast and so hard

I fear it will run out of my chest

I’ve forgotten the steps 

To the act of breathing

I’ve heard words

That shatter a life

I’ve gazed upon a dead man

And not just any man

So when people of my age

Think they are so grown

I believe they are mistaken

But I envy them their innocence

For mine has been long gone.