time to grow up

Do you remember...

When your best friend became your worst enemy?
When lollipops turned into cigarettes?
When the innocent ones turned into sluts?
When homework started going in the trash?
When mobile phones began to be used in class?
When detention became suspension?
When soda became vodka?
When bikes became cars?
When undies turned into g-strings?
When kisses turned into sex?

Do you remember...

When getting high meant swinging on the playground?
When protection meant wearing a helmet?
When the worst things you could get from boys were cooties?
When Dad’s shoulders were the highest place on earth and Mum was your hero?
When your worst enemies were your siblings,
and when race issues were about who ran the fastest?

When war was only a card game.
When the only drug you knew was cough medicine.
When wearing a skirt didn’t make you a slut.
When the only things that hurt you were skinned knees,
and goodbyes only meant until tomorrow?

And yet we couldn’t wait to grow up...