Growing Up

I never wanted to grow up

It always sounded a little too tough

A kaleidoscope of conflicting concepts

Pleasing your parents

And leaving them behind

Trying to be yourself

And find yourself at the same time

Having more self-confidence

By being less self-conscious

Achieved by

Looking a little more outward

And a little less inward

Giving a little of what you have

And receiving more of what you need

Achieving self-esteem

Striving for self-actualization

Following your dreams

While catching up with reality

But who do I wanna be?

Forever young's not as easy as it seems

Reviews

[MFrano1]

This is so truthful. What's amazing is how it opens your eyes to the paradoxes of life. It also gets you to thinking about how your childhood was like this, and that makes it very relatable. What is most amazing about this poem is that it actually covers every age, as the contradictions don't end the second we hit the teens, or even the twenties, etc. Yet it focuses on the time of our lives when we are most vulnerable to the whims of others rules and guidelines for life. This poem is timeless.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

Thank you! It's so fulfilling to know other people relate to what I write. You got more out of it that I realizes was there. Thank you or the thoughtful review.

[Cassie]

I relate with this a lot. Nicely penned

[Lizzie Mitchell]

Thank you!

[RileyRedding]

Amazing job hitting home on a subject everyone has struggled with. You embrace the absurdities of growing up conflicted. I really enjoyed this piece!

[Lizzie Mitchell]

thanks so much!

[Afraa]

I love how this poem is so realistic. You said everything there is about growing up. The entire time I was reading this, I kept nodding my head at every line. I applaud you on this, Lizzie!

[Lizzie Mitchell]

thank you thank you!

[icomeanon_13]

First off, I think you did a great job highlighting the, often, ridiculous paradoxes of growing up (and let's be honest, life itself). The tone is cheeky and screams to be performed at an open-mic night. The rhythm is perfect for oral recitation.

The last line really jolts the reader. We all want to remain youthful, but in order to do so we have to sacrifice the paradoxes (and the wisdom) of experience.

I really love this work. Nice job.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

oh my gosh
you and I
see eye to eye
That's EXACTLY what I was going for.
I love spoken word.
I've never been to an open-mic night,
but I watch that kind of poetry on YouTube.
Sometimes I feel like I'm going to be trying to figure out how to grow up my entire life!

[icomeanon_13]

Everyone (if they're truly honest with themselves) is in a constant state of growing up. We like to say when we hit a certain age (18, 21, 40...etc...) that we're "officially" grown up, but it's a lie we tell ourselves to make us feel secure.

I think true wisdom is knowing that you know not (I borrowed that from my grandmother, but if it's true, it's true). It's when we think we've arrived that we've truly lost the battle.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

Great point! I should stop worrying about whether or not I'm growing up. Writing a poem about the difficulties of it is evidence that I'm doing fine! Thanks (to you and your grandmother) for the wisdom!

[JC]

You show your clarity, depth of perception and intelligence here and I can see you are well on your way to greater things.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

thanks so much!

[Riley Justine]

Really well written! I would capitalize all the words at the beginning of each verse in the stanza. The one line that ends with [and], place the and at the beginning of the next line to even out the flow. Otherwise it is very well penned!

[Lizzie Mitchell]

Thanks I appreciate it!

[Chris]

quite a view from that tree branch - some good thoughts to drift with.