A Whole Life Ahead of Me

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Only seventeen years old, "a whole life ahead of me"

Stress surrounds me like a cage, won't let me free

Not how it's supposed to be

Childhood's almost over; left with only a few decent memories

 

Used to knock on my neighbor's door to see if Michael could come out to play

Now I get responses like "Too busy right now; maybe I'll have time another day"

Used to ride bikes around the cul-de-sac, the sun shining on our necks as we changed gears

I glance out the window from time to time but the cul-de-sac hasn't seen a single bike in years

 

Used to play soccer in the backyard, tearing up the grass, wouldn't let it grow

Backyard's been abandoned now, grass is fully grown; it's only use is giving us the chore to mow

Used to play pickup basketball in the driveway, shooting hoops, calling fouls

I walk past now and the net's falling off, hanging like a noose in the gallows

 

I haven't outgrown these things; not too old to shoot a hoop or take a ride

I just seem to be too busy, never really have the time

The good years are gone, worry always finds me

That's when I question, "Is my whole life behind me?"

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