Playing Grownup

The blazing star streaks across the sky Life Stirring, Soft-skin wrapped limbs Reaching for the light The clock strikes 12 and time begins A red ball chewed by the dog who rests under the age-worn willow tree, Raggedy Ann forgotten in the dust caked crib. Shadowed memories of children Playing, playing grownup But no one's playing now. Years fly by, Hours pass Knees run red, cheeks are wet. Reaching for your mother's hand Pulled up by apron strings Honor role Insomnia Pressures leaving young thoughts Scattered The clock strikes six Chasing the past, catching the future Stuck on a never-ending ferris wheel Scraped hands, filled with gravel Reaching out and grabbing air Time slows down, The clock strikes 12 Young adults lost in plain sight, Too old to run Too young to fly. Now we're all just playing, Playing grownup Raising up But not alone Flesh hits ground, But not your own. Reaching out, hand grabs hand Reaching up, you help them stand