POEM: Shock-free Reality

I am remembering a time when 35 was old.

No one ever became seriously ill,

And the aging seemed to simply fall asleep and never again wake from their dreams.

I am remembering a time when a child would stay in a child’s place

And stay out of grown folks conversations.

Children would be seen and not heard

Or go outside and play.

Now an adult, I face harsh realities,

Realizing that I was busy, being distracted;

Way too distracted by fairytales, fables, and myths to notice

That life itself was always surreal.