childhood is

childhood is doing everything I’m told

so the ghost doesn’t take my belly-button away

childhood is laying tiny golden popcorn kernels around the house

because surely they’ll turn into ladybugs!

childhood is having a crazy imagination

pretending to be a baby bird with friends, escaping the evil hawk,

making chipmunk holes with the couch pillows

       

childhood is exploring the farm

pretending to be lost, surviving in the wilderness

childhood is being carried to your bed

after falling asleep on the couch

childhood is pinching my brother

then putting on Neosporin and a bandage

childhood is bawling because of a small scratch,

childhood is getting super excited to have a conversation on the phone,

and

childhood is thinking “stupid” is a swear word

but most of all..

childhood is freedom

(even though you can’t go past the telephone post)