Aspiring Adults

They said,

"Just enjoy your childhood

don't grow up so fast. 

You have plenty of time to be an adult.

Adulthood will come soon enough."

But I didn't listen

and now here I am

standing in my classroom

saying the same thing to a new bunch of aspiring adults.

They roll their eyes and think they know best.

Adulthood seems so much better than

middle school.

They dream of storming the doors 

breaking out 

and running free.

There are dreams to catch,

places to go,

and people to become.

A clean slate to mark up 

and make of it what they choose.

They think they're ready

to face the world.

They stop for a minute,

hesitancy flickers in their eyes.

The unknown

 so scary

but, oh so, liberating.

The school bell rings and the energy fades

I sit at my desk. I remember-

those were the days...

Oh to be young again

I think for a moment as if it's all gone.

But wait,

could it be?

Could that be me again?

Could I chase the unknown?

Could I storm the doors

and catch my dreams?

Just maybe

that could be me...