A long time ago, I was once like you,

Before I grew up.

Childhood was fun, but it was time to leave,

Dangerous worlds, calling me a teen.

Explain to me why, this world must be the way it is,

Fear struck into the hearts of many,

Girls scared of things no man is scared of.

Happiness faded,

Instead replaced with worry.

Just maybe I’ll make it though my day.

Kids seem to want to be us, yet I’m here,

Longing to reverse time.

My every move is guarded,

New shields put in place.

“Open the door to your heart”

People say to me.

Quite often, they are the reason I keep it locked away.

Reasons will be told, but never believed.

Sometimes the void can be lonely,

Though no one comes to my rescue.

Usually, I cope.

Via writing, I escape.

Worry still penetrates my thoughts each day no matter what I try to do to remove it.

X-ray my heart and you will see it bearing chains.

Younger kids yearn to be teens,

Zooming through time, not considering they may later regret it.