Playgrounds

One day you’re 5

Heading off to school

For the first time

And your biggest concern in the world is

Who is going to play with you

On the playground

Next thing you know you’re

Turning ten

Entering those double digits

Hoping maybe one day

You’ll make it to

Triple digits

And at 11 you’re starting middle school

A little different than

What you’re used to

But you’re excited

You’re moving up

You’re getting bigger

You’re getting older

You have to worry about

Homework loads and sports practices

You barely play on the playground anymore

You have your friends

And you pretty much stick with them

And all you have to do

Is do your work

And be on time

Then

One day you wake up

And you’re not in middle school

Anymore

You’re in high school

The friends you once had

Are gone

There is no playground

The school is twice the size

You’re used to

And you realize that

The person you are

Isn’t the person

You want to end up being

So you decide to grow up

Act responsible for your age

Do what needs done

Work hard

Give it your all

And stay committed

Worry about test grades

Scholarships, Admissions, Deadlines

Graduation!

Who would’ve thought that

In just a few short months

It’s time to be graduating

And though time seems to be racing now

You still have time

To have fun

To have a life

And still worry about the future

But also to be excited for it

Because it used to be so far away

But now

The future is here

And it’s time to

Grow up

And stand up

And face it

No matter if

You’re ready

Or not

Because time doesn’t stand still anymore

And you don’t just have big kid issues

To worry about

Now

You have to do

Adult things

The future is here

Your future is here

And you are in control of it

Having control

Now that is a grown up thing