Growing Up

If growing up

Means losing the wonder

Of each new moment

In each new day,

Thanks, but I’ll pass.

If growing up

Means letting the stress and worry

Of money (or the lack thereof)

Overshadow my existence,

Or cloud my vision,

So that I fail to see

The beauty all around me;

Or forget that love,

And words,

Are free,

Than I will stay a child

In a grownup’s body.

If growing up

Steals my laughter,

If adult conversations

Mean no more childish jokes,

If I must face

The brutal truths

Of an unkind world

Instead of looking for the good

In everyone and everything,

I will protest loudly

At the top of my immature lungs.

I will not act my age

When my body feels

Like I’m older than dirt.

I will not stifle my giggles.

Or stop trusting

Or stop smiling

Even if doing so

Means I get hurt sometimes

When people do not live up to

My naivety.

I will be impulsive

And impressionable.

I will flit between my loves

Juggling hobbies and jobs

Based on what feeds my soul.

I will laugh often,

Look for the amazing

In the mundane,

And never take myself

Too seriously.

None of this is to say

I won’t be responsible.

I’ve learned

That I can be an adult,

Without clubbing my inner child

To death.

And I rather like

Having her around.