To Stand Corrected

86) To Stand Corrected. 2002.

I remember you asking in earnest
“When will all this be over?”
And I shrugged, not particularly caring,
Wanting to laugh, wildly at your
Sweet innocence.
I wanted to scream at you and say
“This will never end! It will always be the same!”
And with that, I’d go on talking
And turn your little, overprotected world
Upside down with my corrupt perceptions
Of life and reality.
I didn’t see then that you were breaking inside.
I looked at you and saw me only in your eyes.
I forget how many years have passed
Since you tried to reach across the barrier
And touch me like that.
But here I am, tail between my legs,
Head low and biting my bee stung lips;
I stand corrected.
I know now I was wrong.
You, with your naive hopes, tentative smile
And teenage optimism
Turned out, of course to be right.
Things do change,
Life does go on
And all good dreams come to an end...