Do you remember
the first time you skinned your knee
and didn\'t care to tell anyone?
Or when you first slept
with the hall light off
no longer afraid of the shadows
on your roof?
Or even when you threw up
for the first time
and no one in the house knew,
except for you?
Perhaps more importantly
do you remember the first time you lied?
Hit someone?
Got a bruise on your hand
not from falling,
playing with friends,
but from being so angry you punched the wall?
Your first kiss you didn\'t tell your mom
because she wouldn\'t get it?
Do you remember not doing the dishes?
Sneaking cookies?
Making your own dinner?
Doing your homework alone?
Dealing with bullies alone?
Grocery shopping alone?
Do you remember growing up?
Or did you one day
just remember that time has passed.
That family board games are
a distant memory.
That mom hasn\'t cooked for you
in months and you didn\'t even notice.
Were you paying attention
when you grew up?