By Colleen Nakhooda

It’s never too late to have a happy childhood —Tom Robbins, Still Life with Woodpecker 

It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. 

That’s what they always say

But as the clock ticks,

And the larger hand moves minute by minute

I find myself being dragged by the void of a fleeting childhood happiness.

Dramatic.

Dark. 

To early for that, they may say

But the dreary eyes 

The tangled mind 

And the unbrushed hair starts to become a daily occurrence.

The time begins to fade

And as weeks go by,

it seems to be harder and harder to remember a time where you had a true laugh

To see a smiling face.

For I look around and everyone just seems… 

Unhappy.

And old

Everyone seems old,

Like they have lived a long life already

A child who stands half the size of their parent

Only their head touches the tip of their hips 

Carries the same weight as the adult they stand close too

“It’ll get better” they say, 

When though?

When will it? 

And silence stands overbearing, returning as an answer. 

I cherish the moments where I feel a sense of innocence

Or when I remember I have a few years left before reality kicks me in the back on the way out. 

But the clock continues to tick

And the hand guides the minutes through a rollercoaster of happiness

And soon enough it will be too late to have a happy childhood. 

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I completed this assignment in class when we were given a few prompts on childhood innocence. After getting five minutes to write I came up with this and realized that this could be relatable to many students and other kids who may have struggled with this idea their entire lives or even in the last few years. If you have anything to add or perhaps have a different response comment below or add lines that you would add to this!!