When Did It Become Okay?

When did it become okay

To move out and move away?

When did “I remember you when”

Get replaced by “I haven’t seen you since”?

 

I saw you both smiling

And it broke my heart in half

It will be last time I see you together

The last time you both laugh

 

Birthdays and Graduations

First Houses and Apartments

Weddings and Divorces

First Jobs and Retirement

 

Those who move on are seldom sad

That is for those who are left behind

Trying to keep up and stay in touch

Desperately wishing for ways to rewind

 

The clock on the wall waits for nobody

Everyone feels like they are on their own

When they wake up and realize one day

That the life they’re living is unknown

 

Relationships can be difficult

Relationships can be hard

High School becomes Reunions

With our names reduced to a card

 

When did it become okay?

 

 

Copyright 2021 Scott C. Forrest-Allen

 

Before

When I was young and all-too wise

I knew exactly what I would do

"I will grow up quickly and become a success

Like my parents have always wanted me to"

  

During middle school I threw away

All the toys from my childhood

I had no need for them anymore

They would never do me any good

 

I knew it was my time

My time “before”

Before graduation and college

I couldn’t wait anymore

 

So I ignored my friends and took every job

And every internship as well

So I could hit the ground running before everyone

And made money and worked like hell

 

And I loved every second of it

As I welcomed the “Daily Grind”

I worked and was the head of my class

As I left my friends behind

 

It was my time

My time “before”

Before spouses and settling down

I would never be poor

 

As I look at these Diplomas they make me proud

Of all of my success

And my self-determination and self-worth

And never settling for less

 

Now I look at these papers, and they make me sad

But I have no one to blame but myself

Because I look back at my childhood days

And all I see are empty shelves

 

This is my reward

My reward “before”

Before growing up and moving on

Loneliness and more

 

This is my success

My success “before”

But I have nothing

Before the “before.”

 

 

Copyright 2019 Scott C. Forrest-Allen

Random Thought 111

 Heal thy self = healthy self. 

"Hope For A New Day"