pattycake

  
my inner waters undulate with regrets
my innocence was misplaced while in too big of a hurry
I left it behind like mittens at the playground
somewhere between the monkey bars and the slide
my girlhood slipped away in a moment

it happened while I tried on mamma's shoes
wanting so bad to be a grown lady
it happened sneaking kisses at the roller rink with Johnny
finally, it happened while we fumbled
for control over hormone raging bodies

responsibility took the place of ponytails and crushes
little girl smiles were now cocktails with the Jones and risky flirtations
it all happens when you're not looking
time slips by without barely a glimpse in the rearview mirror

the winter's chill of a cold bedroom
takes the place of endless summers
where you climbed trees playing Jane of the jungle
limitless possibilities turn into just one last shot at happiness
and all the years you spent learning to socialize
finds you bitterly lonely

so like a grownup you knock back another drink
and pretend you wouldn't do it any different
because after all you learned something didn't you?