When I was young
I was told to always look up,
That one day I would grow up,
That, if at all possible,
It is always best to show up,
To be on time—
To not be punctual is a crime—
Because adults are grown up
And it is best to act that way
Lest you get thrown up
By society.
So, heeding that advice,
I believed I knew the price,
That to not grow up—
To not conform and
Return to the throw up—
Would find me
Unworthy of love,
A wingless,
dying dove.
So, I changed.
After all,
don’t we all?
We do.
But here’s the rub,
We build the walls,
Smoothe over every flub,
Polish our outer shells,
Blow every whistle,
Sound all the bells.
And for what?
Has that bought us anything?
Has that bought us anything?
Did that deliver desirably?
Has the love we procured lasted?
And, wise friend,
Even if it has—
Even if we have lasting love—
Is it love of you,
Or who you’ve fooled yourself
Into thinking you are?
This is where,
Tormented traveler,
I come to a truth I’ve tapped,
One that won’t hang around
Unless you grab it,
Plant it,
And let it take root.
We were not created to grow up.
No, we are to grow down,
To grow deep.
Like trees,
Our height should be a shadow-sight
Of our truest depths.
That,
As tall as we may appear to be,
We are only strong
Because we are
Deeply rooted
In who we are.
That this current iteration,
Though older,
Broader,
Taller,
Stronger,
Is the same iteration
Of me
That I always remember
Me to be.
So, you see,
Let’s kick this damn fantasy
Of growing up to be big.
Hell no—time to defy.
The core of who I was then
Is who I was always
Meant to be.
I defy.
© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
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Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: April 6th, 2025 07:27
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 14
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, arqios, Cheeky Missy, Poetic Licence
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Comments6
A poem of depth defying expectations in exchange for a solid rooted knowledge. This poem does just that in a unique rhyme pattern and format. My father's moto was if you're not five minutes early you are late. My mother was always late, not by five minutes but much more. I saw the conflict first hand between conformity and who you are. One need not be a rebel to be oneself, there is no rebellion just being that is enough. A fave my friend
Amen to all of that. 💯 Spot on. Thank you so much, my dearest friend, for your time, your insightful analysis, your fave and your ongoing support. I am deeply appreciative! 🖤🖋️🌱⛓️🕯️
Reminds me of the old boys’ club and all that… shivers and cringes🙏🏻🕊liked and Faved🤩
Yes. Right!?!?! No thank you...they can keep that! 😂 Glad the poem delivered my friend! Thank you for your time, thoughts and fave!!! 🖤🖋️🌱⛓️🕯️
Most welcome 🙏🏻 🕊
Yes - I'm growing down. I'm taking some pills to stunt my growth. I'm 3 inches shorter already! lol. Woof! says Fido. 'You've not got the right meaning of this poem'. heehee.
LOL! Thank God for Fido! 🤣 Thanks, Orchi! Much appreciated, my friend! 🖤🖋️🌱⛓️🕯️
Defy what, precisely, dear friend? Maturity was what they pushed us toward, yet, alas, having likewise introduced us to Peter Pan, which of us didn't go that route? So, we're adults, can't alter that, but yet we're children still, either rooted in sand or in the rock. And having taken me on that ride, I'll thank you. Beautifully rendered with excellent imagery and a haunting, teasing poignancy. Thank you for sharing.
I\'m defying the construct and at least some of the expectations, I suppose...all the while trying to keep myself \"child-like\" as opposed to \"childish\". 🤣 The more I see \"adults\" run things, the more I am thinking \"adult\" might not be the ideal. Thank you so much, my dear friend for taking the ride to Never Never Land, engaging with your thoughts, and even referencing one of my faves, Peter Pan. 🙂 Always appreciated! 🖤🖋️🌱⛓️🕯️
Really enjoyed the read, as children we become shaped and moulded and adapt to be and those roots will always be there. When we become adults we are the same just bigger and that we will always be, sorry if that doesn't make any sense,loved the write
No worries. That makes perfect sense. indeed! Thank you, Tobani, for your time, thoughts and fave! Much appreciated, always! 🖤🖋️🌱⛓️🕯️
You are very welcome
Hello again,
While reading the poem I was in for some pending shake ups and felt like becoming part of a storm erupting. There is a lot I can say about this poem but I will save you my looking glass telescopic eye and just lean back letting the poem unfold. Into yet new images, I really like the tree that felt like rooting the piece into solid soil. The end was a yah oh yah part, I defy.....
splendid!
I will surely read more of your works!
Wow! Thank you, my friend! I am humbled, my friend. As will I yours, I really enjoyed your poem today! Looking forward to more. Thank you, again, for your time and your feedback. Much appreciated! 🖤🖋️🌱⛓️🕯️
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