In childhood's radiant dawn we stood,
Eager to grow up, as children should,
Dreaming of the world through grown-up eyes,
Yearning for the day when we'd realize.

We longed to cast away our innocent charms,
To be free from the confines of childlike arms,
To step into a world of knowledge and might,
Where the possibilities seemed endless, bright.

But as the sands of time slipped away,
And adulthood's veil enshrouded our play,
We realized a truth that brought a sigh,
The loss of the magic, the wonder gone by.

The world became a serious place,
With worries and burdens we now had to face,
The enchantment of youth slowly faded away,
Revealing a reality of shades of gray.

Gone were the days of vibrant imagination,
Replaced with practicality and a sense of resignation,
The world became less colorful, less bright,
As we lost the innocence that once shone so light.

Oh, how we yearned for those days of old,
When all was a mystery waiting to unfold,
When every moment was filled with delight,
And the world was a canvas, so vivid and bright.

But in this bittersweet reflection, let us find,
A lesson to cherish in heart and mind,
For although we may have lost the fantasy and grace,
We gained understanding, wisdom, and a new embrace.

Let us remember the wonders of our youth,
And reclaim a piece of that innocent truth,
Revel in the magic, the mystery, and the fun,
And find joy in the simplest moments under the sun.

For even though the world may seem less grand,
We can still discover beauty hand in hand,
Embrace the child within, and let our spirits soar,
To see the world through the eyes of wonder once more.
© Arvin Ramirez
#growingup