When I Was Little

When I was little, I thought I had the whole world to myself. My selfish desires transpired into a song I felt everyone needed to hear. A song that sings millions Though words are mute But to me, The world was deaf. When I was little, I would watch the time Fly by Tick tock, tick— Talking to myself about the ways That one day, I could change the world. When I was little, Instead the world changed me. Society would lie to me And try to mask my plea Of being who I was, Being who I am, Being who I will be Because they thought they had the authority. When I was little, People clothed me in invisible garments Of don’ts and can’ts From my shirt to my pants. I looked in the mirror at my reflection And saw no direction But a collection of names Etched on my face; but the skin-tone ink Could never be erased. When I was little, I thought that our past mistakes Dictated the choices we’d make, My world was shaking Violently at sight of losing myself And gaining the world. But now that I’m older, I’ve learned that the scars of enmity That marred my serenity No longer are the factors That define my identity. Who I was, who I am, who I will be Will forever be Me.