grown up;

she stands there under the canopy of trees
sunlight pours through dense leaves
shining like diamond fragments
playing hide and seek with grounded pin straw

the cool breeze tousles her hair
and a rush of memories come racing forward
of fun and friends from many years ago

we wish to grow up, as young children often dream
counting the years before high school graduation
and college applications

adulthood has come too fast
a reality shock from sheltered pasts
more freedom in many ways
but with obstacles a hundred times greater

responsibilities that we blissfully left to our parents
now they fall into our hands

we've grown up
and we've begun to find our places