Growing up,
I always wanted to be grown up.
Looking from down there, seeing how my parents hero up.

Growing up,
That was a dream come true.
Being all big and having everything figured out.
Having enough paper to seek out your needs,
Having enough courage to stand on your feet.
No rules, no one to tell you what to do.
No rules, no one to tell you how to feel.

Growing up,
Being all comported and having all the answers.
Giving the rules and not taking them,
Recognizable achievements and loud celebrations.

Grown-up,
The feelings, the stress, the pain, the fears.
Debts, little achievements, and greater setbacks.
Now I understand why my dad preferred to sit alone in the dark,
Why my mum was unnecessarily angry.
The stress.
Not being able to sort out your emotions.
Dealing with pain, excitement, and orgasm.

Grown-up,
Now I know, we only saw what they let us see.
Now we see beyond the white clothes and wide grin
Now we see beyond the buttered bread and fried rice.
Growing up we always listed everything we wanted and even got angry when not given,
Grown-up, lol, even our needs aren't fully met and we make do.

Grown-up,
Unnecessary anger, pain.
We cry we pray, we hope.
If everything will come together, we'll forget this present day in the future that will be the present.
Now we puff weed and fight crimes,
Feels good.
At least if we can't go high, we can afford to be high.

Getting old,
We have hopes and dreams.
That is good enough, that will keep us going.
And in a couple, this will be a tale.
In the meantime, we smoke and work.© debbieOthompson
#Writing #nigerianwriter