Adolescence

The wisdom of growing old, and the saddness of growing apart.

"Adolescence"

Five-year-old kisses
On a Sunday afternoon
Cherry popsicle
Melting down my hand
Sticky-sweet like love

Mud on your Sunday best
A quick change
And five minutes in the corner
Seemed like the world could end
In those five minutes
But it was fun for now

Eight-year-old hugs
We grew apart
Hide and seek in the park
We ran home
Too old for silly children's games

Friendship bracelets
Braided with yarn
Tied carefully around our wrists
Pinky promise
Broken

Seventh-grade handshakes
We were strangers
Together
Passing notes
Lost its danger

Five-year-old kisses
Lips on my cheek
We grew old too soon
Cherry popsicle
Melting on the ground
Sticky-sweet like adolescence