The Loss of Youth

This a poem about how you never noticed when you grew up before it was too late, and how you can hate yourself for ignoring the chances you could've taken before they were gone.

Before you walk away,

Before the day is done,

Why do you insist on leaving,

We're not forever young.

You say, "C'mon, let's play!" one minute but the next,

You're all about "growing up" and "finding love".

You'll laugh and smile alongside me,

But soon turn your back to the younger us.

We never noticed when we stopped playing in the mud,

Because looks overthrew our play.

We never noticed when we gave up our alongside-boys fun,

Because the world put romance in the way.

Why did you let our imagination stop,

Why did you let your rage grow nearer.

Why did you leave our youth to flop,

You horrible monster in the mirror.

Reviews

[Efxaris Arampatzi]

What a beautiful poem Alice! Such an amazing entry too for my contest, thank you for sharing such beautiful words!!! By the way, I've just updated the description just to clarify that you don't have to set the title of your piece as "Before you walk away" it just has to start with this phrase, and you also don't have to include that it's a contest entry, after the contest it will still be your own beautiful poem! If you'd like to take that off you can because the contest doesn't own this poem, you do! :D

[Alice Cob]

thanks for clarification and your words!

[emmajoygreen]

Why does growing up mean we 'can't or don't keep our childhood with us; after all innocence unknowingly searches for what there might be?! Being sensible, doing this and that set out for the early adulthood is often stiffling, dilutes that touch of wonder - innocence if you like, that learning 'how to' develops our individual unique-ness and adds water to age's drink. Even staring into the mirror and wondering where that once upon a time 'you' has gone, is a 'downer' - best to close one eye or stick out tongue and giggle.. far better way of slipping into conformity... or.. better still, deciding NOT TO! Your writing is a real nudge into one's HONEST thoughts.. (none of that must do.. best do not do).. at least now and again. You write inspiring words.. is good to explore. Have a feeling you might adventure all sorts!

[A.H.]

youth, chances not taken, very relatable. so true the words here, I also dwell sometimes on those lines and see how things change. as we grow older, we miss what we were before. but life moves on, you transform, grow and change. very well written piece, enjoyed reading it. Thanks Alice.

[Alice Cob]

of course, thank you for reading!

[A.H.]

you're most welcome.

[Orphic Dreamer]

This is an absolutely breath-taking piece, I love how you have captured the way adulthood and the curse of time change the innocence of a soul. Beautiful!

[Inkspire]

Very relatable.
We all want to be young again.
Sometimes we feel why do we have to grow .
Sometimes we regret what we could have been done in the past.

[Beren]

I know we are still young but I still can't help but feel like we've lost our youth. i understand. The last part is so true that I ask all the questions there screaming in my head every day but I can't say them out loud. You have written so beautifully that you can tell how talented you are just by looking at the introduction and conclusion. love it!

ps: I started reading your story but I'm really tired right now. I'll come back and read it next week, and I like that you are talented in writing both stories and poems

[Alice Cob]

I'm glad you agree, and thank you for your words!

(also, thanks for starting to read it! Which one are you reading? Also I'm tired too rn so I get it :3)

[D. Mansfield]

i liked this poem nice job

[Alice Cob]

thx :3 hehehehe

[Martiya Daman]

This poem is about growing up and how things change. It talks about how we stop playing and being carefree because of things like looks and romance.

I feel sad because the poem shows how we lose our imagination and fun. The poem is really good at making me think about how time goes by too fast and how we grow up. Lovely work Alice, keep going!

[Alice Cob]

Thanks so much!

[Martiya Daman]

My pleasure!