When I was your Age... | Teen Ink

When I was your Age...

April 15, 2010
By Abbyy GOLD, Shanghai, Other
Abbyy GOLD, Shanghai, Other
12 articles 1 photo 22 comments

When I was your age
with my crayons and Barbies
laughing without a care in the world
I thought “stupid” was a bad word
My fingers would fly
to my lips as I cried
when I uttered such a word

Just this morning I saw
a cute little boy
almond eyes wide in surprise
who dropped his book
cried out in surprise
the taboo S-word

What happened?

When I was your age
with my crayons and Barbies
laughing without a care in the world
When I got a sticker
I would giggle with delight
as I tried very hard
to sit and be polite

Just before lunch I saw
a little girl
in her tiny pink skirt
rolling her eyes and
crossing her arms
turning away
from her innocence

What happened?

When I was your age
with my crayons and Barbies
laughing without a care in the world
I would run and play
with boys and girls
(despite their cooties)
all together, smiling away

Just today during lunch I saw
a girl and a boy
yelling and screaming
shouting and weeping
they were
but barely
higher than my waist

When I was your age
with my crayons and Barbies
laughing without a care in the world
My tears would spill out
if someone pushed me
my mouth would form an “O”
but they would soon apologize

Just this afternoon I saw
a little boy
a boyish smirk upon his face
push another little boy over
jeer and smirk
the victim turned and punched
the teacher nearby gave them only a glance

What happened?

When I was your age
with my crayons and Barbies
laughing without a care in the world
If I had an extra cookie
I would try and share with you
I would break it in half
and give you the bigger piece

Just this evening I saw
two girls
wearing matching colors
trotting down the street
fighting over a precious dolly
ripping apart her seams
their voices grew and arms flew
not thinking or wanting to share

What happened?

What happened?
Modernization happened.
“Civilization” happened.

When I was your age…


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This article has 4 comments.


on Dec. 14 2011 at 5:25 am
Countrylife4 GOLD, Maine
11 articles 4 photos 118 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Someday soon we're gonna catch that dream we've been chasing"
"Seven days without a horse makes one weak."
"The worst part of riding is when you dismount."

Insult my clothes, I say, “Okay, thanks for the compliment.”
Insult the way I look, I say, “Thanks for notifying me.”
Mock me and say riding isn’t a sport, and I’ll say,”You say that ’cause you can’t ride.” But before you make fun of my horse, make sure you have “911″ on your speed dial.

That was amazing and I do miss those days! Keep writing :)

dodo_95 BRONZE said...
on Jul. 29 2010 at 5:50 am
dodo_95 BRONZE, Alexandria, Other
1 article 1 photo 3 comments
I completely loved it :)

Abbyy GOLD said...
on May. 19 2010 at 9:10 pm
Abbyy GOLD, Shanghai, Other
12 articles 1 photo 22 comments
Thank you :)

on May. 19 2010 at 8:00 pm
heroic7wicked BRONZE, Tucson, Arizona
1 article 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
"A tree that is unbending is easily broken. The hard and strong will fall. The soft and yielding will overcome." - Lao Tzu

I enjoyed the reprising verse and how each one changes as the poem progresses.