No Longer A Kid

I realized I was no longer a kid,

When I left the sea

The sand leaving scratched memories,

Of who I used to be.

I realized I was no longer a kid,

When I left my bike in the street,

The scars healed on my skinned knees,

Chalk dust faded on the concrete.

I realized I was no longer a kid,

When the boogeyman wasn’t the real monster anymore,

The day I realized the demons were friendly faces,

Not dark shadows outside my door.

I realized I was no longer a kid,

When the expectations became too immense,

“Do good in this, exceed at that,”

My shoulders are getting tense.

I realized I was no longer a kid,

When I found myself wanting to be free,

To spread my failing wings,

My childhood, please, come back to me.