i grew taller in

a temperamental world

one full of

fresh holes in

the wall

they used to measure me with

 

i learned

escape routes

and

when to keep

my mouth shut

alongside

my abcs

and times tables

 

suddenly

adulthood

welcomes me

 

in the mirror

i greet the child that

never got to grow

inside

 

overwhelmed

with unlearning

 

i remind myself

there’s time

(and that brings me some peace)