“Childhood only exists” “While its innocence lives” “In time, it is stripped away” “By what, our invidious reasoning gives” WIZDUMBs by JA 223 When I was very young, some years before my teens Before those wild ambitions, invaded all my dreams I was naive, yet unafraid; my life was filled with awe I ran and played, unperturbed, exploring things I saw I had no needs, beyond my own; no greed had yet set in Not then aware, that my needs, could evolve into a sin I had no great desires, put no value, on what I lent There was no hidden meaning, no reward, in my intent I had no inhibitions, had not yet tasted fear I marveled at the joys of life, which now I hold so dear I rushed headlong thru life, and gave it not a thought Back then, knew not life’s lessons, still needed to be taught All of my convictions, lived free within my heart Before my brain took hold, and tore them all apart My innocence of reasoning, was good and sweet and pure This loss of childlike judgement, one day I would endure I thought not of, what I should do; back then I had no clue Thus unafraid, tried everything, and so my knowledge grew With each mistake, I’d try again; from each a lesson drew Discovered life, not as it seemed, and so, would start anew I searched for all the answers, to things I did not know Unknowing that this knowledge; would corrupt my soul I did not yet, discriminate; knew not that color mattered This crystal mirror image, for me, was also shattered My innocence preceded, all I thought and dreamed Until I finally realized, that the world had intervened I discovered that not always, black was black nor white is white That sometimes right was wrong, and sometimes wrong is right That friends do come and friends do go, but our wish, is to belong And each of us, must prove our worth, for a friendship to be strong That family blood; makes our bonds, much closer than the rest In times of need, if good or bad, our family stands the test And so my childhood ended, life’s road got in the way The consequences of my choices, have led me to this day A life once lived and filled, with the ease of its simplicity Now sadly acquiesced, to its contrived, duplicity BOEMS by JA 239