When I was a child

I spoke as a child

I understood as a child

I thought as a child

I dreamt as a child

I stared at clouds as a child

I played in the mud as a child

I skinned my knee as a child

I screamed in agony as a child

I forgot about it in a moment like a child

I excitedly pointed out cows and firetrucks as a child

I made new friends as a child

I fought easily as a child

I forgave easily as a child

I broke windows and vases as a child

I drew and painted on walls as a child

I danced as though no one is watching without having to tell myself to dance as though no one is watching as a child

I tried out for every sport as a child

I listened to new music as a child

I was scared as a child

I was fearless as a child

I despaired a child

I loved as a child

I hated as a child

I was convinced I could fly as a child

I assumed the word had settled into its final form as a child

I demanded a better world as a child

I mourned the loss of a dog, a cat, a goldfish, a bird immobile on the side of the road, even a cotton teddy bear, as a child

I burned fire ants alive as a child

I caught fireflies in my hands as a child

I cried for help constantly as a child

I could do it myself as a child

I wore my mother’s shoes as a child

I celebrated summer as a child

I planned my Halloween costume in August as a child

I wrote my Christmas list in September as a child

I had no nostalgia as a child

I knew no mourning as a child

I burst with energy as a child

I slept till noon, with no remorse of conscious, as a child

I wore pajamas all day without it being a depression symptom as a child

I had too much screen time as a child

I memorized cartoon theme songs as a child

I followed a trickle of water in the dirt for as far as it would go, as though I were seeking the headwaters of the Nile, as a child

I was fiercely possessive of things I never bought as a child

I was radically generous, and shared and shared alike with anyone and everyone, as a child

I hated school as a child

I loved my teacher as a child

I could read a whole book without remembering a word of it and still confidently say that I’d read that book, cause I could still remember how it made me feel, as a child.

I thought catching a cold and staying home was a treat as a child

I assumed the adults all knew what they were doing as a child

I assumed everyone spoke the truth and acted in good faith till proven otherwise as a child

I knew every adult was a fool as a child

I celebrated every birthday with unalloyed joy as a child

I saw a year pass as a life-age of the universe as a child

I was infinite and eternal as a child

I knew we’d never die as a child

But when I became a man

I became a woman

And when I became a woman

I became a man

And put away childish things

Like fearing to look childish

And so again became a child

For so I’m told

Of such is the Kingdom of God