growing pains.

it feels so scary getting old

Battered copies of Tiger Beat, reread in times of boredom. 

They were never far. Nor few. 

Teen stars and their plastered on smiles, my only source of entertainment.

It's been years since I sat on a painted pony, always going forward, never back. 

Now Miley is divorced, Zac is in Australia, and Cole is a weirdo who wears knitted hats. 

There are no cleaved fruits being split by two barefoot, sunburnt people. 

No rush of acid dribbling down my chin. 

A bee grave litters my neck, my infantile patience long gone.

Washed down the drain. 

Revved up engines of beaten up cars and half emptied bottles of discounted wine, 

more of it spilled than consumed.

All it takes is a few swipes, a few seconds of mindless scrolling for their face to crop up. 

The photo is love-filled and they're smiling, no longer camera shy. 

And its 11:39 pm and cheap wine jostles around my stomach, clouding my head.

The tears stain my face quickly.

Our last conversation was stilled and awkward. 

The photo is love-filled and they're smiling, bursting with joy. 

If I could wish on every dandelion I never got to blow out, I would ask to stop growing.

I hate the pains that come with it. 

[Exit Youth]

Reviews

[Kelly Scheppers]

Tiger Beat. Oh yes, I remember it well. I wish I had thought about the dandelion...your reference to it is awfully sweet and makes for quite an impression. As for the pains that come with growing old, I wouldn't change it for one less day on earth. My parents and older sister all died young, so growing old for me, is indeed a privilege! Good to meet you, Inez! Hang in there!