Before peer pressure

Before the cheerleaders came

Life was so much simpler

And together.

Where did my princess hat go?
Give it back;

I’m still a sword-carrying ass-kicker.

When you’re six or seven,

Nobody tells you to do difficult stuff,

And no matter what you do,

You’re little and cute.

Large blue eyes

And pale white skin:

When all you have to do is blink

To get your bidding done,

Life is good.

It’s easy when the biggest concern in life

Is the fact that Bethany took your last French fry

Or that Mark called you a wiener.

It’s a perfect age,

Where you’re too old to be babied,

But too young for real responsibility.

What, did you make a mistake?

It’s okay, you’re still young.

Most days, all I really need is the return

Of the bedtime story and the ritual tuck-in

And the reminder that somebody is there for you.

The siren song of maturity

Tugs on you so hard when you’re so young.

By the time you try to return to your younger state,

It’s too late,

And you can never go back.

Never go back.