The Child I Used To Be

I used to think I had it all planned out ;
But now, I’m learning life’s lessons slow.
Still, somewhere inside,
That child remains.
I chased sunsets on wings made of dreams,
Held my heart in jars filled with moonbeams.
Laughed beneath trees that whispered my name,
Now the world’s changed, but I’m still the same.
Where is that child I used to be?
Wild and free, no chains, no plea.
Talking to clouds, dancing with breeze,
No fear, no shame, just innocence, please.
Do they still live deep inside me?
That child I used to be.
Dreams faded slow under life’s heavy weight,
Traded fire for quiet, learned to wait.
Screamed at skies that never heard,
Now I whisper hope without a word.
Where is that child I used to be?
Laughing loud, so carelessly.
Jumping in puddles, naming the stars,
Now I wear scars like battle scars.
But sometimes in silence, I’m free
That child I used to be.
I see them in reflections I don’t face,
In the way I forgive, in moments of grace.
They never left, just found new ways to be,
That child inside is still with me.
I wore dreams like armor, light in my chest,
Promised to never settle, never rest.
Life redrew lines I once drew in chalk,
Now I trace wishes on my daily walk.
Under skin and soul, beneath what you see,
They breathe, they laugh ; they pull me in.
No matter the years, no matter the sea,
I’m still that child ;
I used to be.