When did we lose our love affair
with summer grass and sunshine?

When were pockets never deep enough?
When did we give up our right to those 25-cent turn-the-crank candy machines?

Where is my lunchbox?

When did girls start saving each inch?
When did boys learn to spread their arms and their legs
when sitting?
Why is it that the whole world grows up all at once
and being young is now unacceptable?

When did the stuff that's under the skirts and inside the trousers
become more important than the people they belong to?

Why don't we play in the rain anymore?
Why do we walk just to get somewhere?
Why do we all want cars so badly?
Why is the fact that at 15 I'm still a baby surprise everyone?
I'll still be a child in 25 years.
I'll still be a child in 50.

Just so you know
at age 85
I'm that crazy old woman who lives down your street
walking 'round barefoot
through other folks lawns.

05/04/2004

Posted on 05/05/2004
Copyright © 2024 Trisha De Gracia