Take it Slowly: A Poem

Posted On October 30, 2021

Growing up.

What is growing up?

The riddle of life. We can’t see it happening

But when we look back, we suddenly realize that it has.

.

An innocence shrouds childhood,

A silent awareness of the time passing.

We grip each moment with our little hands,

And linger

in

them.

.

We want to stay small forever

Holding the hand of our Father,

Our feet planted

In the bright

Green

Grass.

,.

But standing here,

I look back

Over my shoulder

And see the past.

Memories pave the road,

The beautiful, burning bridge that is my childhood.

.

I’ve come so far,

And I can’t go back.

I was so little then.

See my baby teeth? My silky hair?

My little feet stumbling,

As you held my hand to keep me from falling.

And there I am, young and awkward,

Suddenly aware of myself.

.

Now I find myself on the cusp

Of adulthood.

Not quite there,

But close enough to catch a glimpse…

.

I’m older,

More confident,

Filled with a sense of purpose

Yet still holding onto innocence.

.

Growing up is bittersweet.

.

Take it slowly.

Smell the roses.

I planted them for you.

.

Oh God, I don’t want childhood to end.

I wish I could stop the clock

Freeze the world in this moment.

This moment—right now.

I wish I could….

But wishing is useless. The clock is still ticking.

Time is limited. What will I do with my time?

What will I do with my time?

Time, precious time—

An abstract concept, really. I can’t touch time.

Can’t smell it

Or feel it.

But we all know it exists. We’ve seen its hand on our lives.

We’ve seen how it turns hair white,

And carries the infant into bumbling youth.

So what will I do with my time?

God, I say. What will I do with it?

.

Be with me.

.

The words touch the edges of my mind and I know that it is you.

.

Hold my hand.

See the road before us?

See how long it is?

You can’t see the end.

You can’t see how it twists and turns and you can’t see the hills and valleys.

Hold my hand. Be with me.

See the road before us?

See how I walk beside you?

I won’t let you go.

I’ll never let you go.

I’ve got you.

Each moment will be better than the last.

Be with me.

.

With tears in my eyes, I grip your hand.

It’s warm.

I look into your eyes,

And see that yours are wet.

You are crying with me.

You’re crying with me,

Yet smiling, full of joy,

As you gently lead me into this exciting

New world

Called life.

.

You’ve got me.

.

Growing up is bittersweet.

We are older,

Wiser,

And aware.

Yet holding onto the innocence that you planted deep in our hearts.

.

In a sense, growing up is everything.

But it is also just living.

It’s the stream that keeps on flowing,

Rushing,

Moving.

And we must take it slow

And smell the roses

That you have planted there for us.

Taking it slow, but always moving forward

With you.

.

Be with me. Hold my hand.

I love you.