Growing Up

There was a moment in time that I felt as if I had
all the time in the world to figure out who I was.
That was before I decided to pursue knowledge.
The funny thing about knowledge is that it makes you realize
how very dumb you are.

Childhood is the time in life when you are your smartest.
Everything around you is nothing compared to
the imagination in your mind.
The world isn't dictated by opinions and beliefs
but by your dreams and your wishes and your hopes.

A child can say to the world
"I am a prince(ss) and I will fight dragons
to save the day since only I can destroy evil monsters!"
Then the days change and the child is now standing
in the line at the elementary cafeteria and staring
into the red face of a cafeteria lady who has most likely
spit in the food she is now serving as she doesn't stop coughing.

Then there are the rules for proper school etiquette and sanctions
if the child doesn't fall those silly rules adults create to
take away the fun of saving the day and at the same time
those adults take away freedom with each year that passes by.
It is no wonder that adults say in the most wistful of voices
"Oh, to be a child for just one day."
When all the while they take the freedom from children
and say that they are just teaching them to be a part of society.

Is it any wonder that the older we get the more we wish to stay young?
When you brush your hair and all of the sudden find a grey hair
that refuses to be pulled out despite repeated attempts to make it go away.
Or when you look in the mirror and see that youthfulness
has given way to that scowl line between your brows that refuses to smooth out.
Why wouldn't you wish to be a child for just a little longer?

The worst is when you aren't allowed to be either.
When you're stuck between childhood and adulthood
and then you can't get away from that trap of being in between life stages.
It seems like the only way you can prove you are an adult
is if you get a job, get married and have kids of your own.
Then, well, then, you have to pretend again
that you know everything about the world
when in reality it is your children that are the true holders of knowledge.
And you, well, you are the greatest pretender that teaches another generation
that freedom is unobtainable when in reality you took it away.