We Are...I Am

We were children and we spoke freely,

unafraid of the hearts our words punctured

and the piercings of our stares.

Our ideas were limitless, and our imaginations unscathed. 

We were children and we played wildly, 

unashamed of the dirt on our knees 

and the holes in our jeans.

Our bodies and clothes could be washed, so we lived for the day.

We were children and we loved unconditionally,

gender had no home in our neighborhood 

and our friendship was founded on trading bubblegum. 

Our adoration could not be contaminated, or so we thought. 

We are no longer children,

we have entered junior high. 

Our actions become judged

therefore, we aim to please.

We are no longer children and we speak softly,

afraid of the confrontation our words will cause

and the uncomfortable stares that follow. 

Our ideas are restricted, and our imaginations crippled.

We are no longer children and we replace the freedom of play with the safety of phones,

ashamed of our imperfections 

and childlike tendencies.

Our bodies and clothes are the first to be judged, so they must be washed of blemishes.

We are no longer children and we guard our love,

boys and girls can no longer just be friends

and our friendship is founded on popularity and possessions.

Our adoration has not been contaminated, has it?

I am no longer a child.

I am an adult,

unafraid of the words I speak,

unashamed of my flaws, 

and unwilling to terminate my unconditional love.

I have discovered that the body may grow, 

and so may the child.

I am an adult, but my child has never left me.