Back Then

Back then the only thing that mattered was having fun.
Back then we loved to play in the rain.
Back then we raced home for mac-n-cheese and The Price Is Right.
Back then we were rap stars and divas without ever leaving the play room.
Back then we could fly to Hawaii and Jamaica without getting off the swings.
Back then we saved our money for a trip to Bower's Dime Store.
Back then we made snowman and the front page of The Evening Star.
Back then we played with Kid Sisters and My Buddies.
Back then we hid from the world in the closet with a marble kit in tow.
Back then we playfully ran from grandma's kisses.

Now all that matters are making deadlines.
Now we get frustrated with the rain we bring on ourselves.
Now we race home to avoid traffic and slow trains.
Now we questions every decision we have ever made.
Now just leaving the state can be a problem.
Now we save our paychecks to pay off college debt.
Now we make chaos and stress by avoiding the truth.
Now we are friends with our real siblings and appreciate their guidance.
Now we long for a porthole back to that closet.
Now we long for our relatives presence.