I was once was a kid, <br />but, not like kids today, <br />they know the world so very well, <br />at such a tender age. <br /> <br /> Their heads are pushing Twenty, <br />when they are only twelve, <br />perhaps because their parents, <br />are thinking only of themselves. <br /> <br /> I would love to be a child again, <br />when childhood used to be, <br />a time for fresh beginnings, <br />hating girls and climbing trees. <br /> <br /> I would roam the neighbor's yard, <br />as if it was made for me, <br />those people never seemed to mind, <br />... well born and running free. <br /> <br /> I would climb upon the fences, <br />the king of all surveyed, <br />and I would throw a temper - tantrum, <br />when my parents disobeyed. <br /> <br /> As such a little prince, <br />I imagined that to be, <br />and then they called me in to dinner, <br />and took away my fantasy. <br /> <br /> I would also throw a baseball, <br />and often catch the same, <br />I would hit it, often chased it, <br />as I was learning all the games. <br /> <br /> The kids today are different, <br />they are growing up too fast, <br />family doesn't matter much, <br />it doesn't seem to last. <br /> <br /> I'd hate to be a kid today, <br />knowing what I know, <br />but, they don't know the difference. <br />and so, they keep on growing. <br /> <br /> No, I am not a child, <br />though childhood I see, <br />the watching does not last as long, <br />and too early running free.<br /><br />Barry Van Allen<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/children-left-to-be/
