The truth about this playground

The playground is my kingdom

for one more day,

for today.

I used to love

these fulfilling adventures

that took place every weekend.

New comrades, pals, mates

to play with.

Photo by nrd on Unsplash

‘Careful. The floor’s lava!’

‘I’ll be the captain and you’ll be my crew.’

‘I’ll count to one hundred.’

‘My mommy wants me to go.’

Go where?

To grow up.

But Peter Pan said it’s a trap.

Bills and job hunting

I want to play hide and seek.

I’ll hide

and you seek

the time machine for me.

Reminiscing about the simpler times.

We were only children

whose legs couldn’t reach the ground

when we were on the swings.

Going up with huge smiles on our faces.

Nobody told us

these times had an expiration date.

After hide and seek,

A kiss on the cheek

From our loving parents.

Muddy trousers and shoes,

Not broken hearts

shattered to pieces

and walked over.

Innocent sparks in our eyes,

no serious tears and cries.

We had to put our glasses down

because our heads grew too big.

Now we see it differently.

Now we play this game of adulting.

We got to pretend we know.

We should have our shit together.

We’re playing along to this myth

called adulthood.

The truth is

nobody knows how to steer this ship

or the destination it’s headed.

We ain’t no Jack Sparrow.

But aye captain.

We’ll handle the storms

if we believe the good in us.

And keep our inner child with us

because that stays with us

all of our lives.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash