When I was your age
with my crayons and Barbies
laughing without a care in the world
I thought “stupid” was a bad word
My fingers would fly
to my lips as I cried
when I uttered such a word

Just this morning I saw
a cute little boy
almond eyes wide in surprise
who dropped his book
cried out in surprise
the taboo S-word

What happened?

When I was your age
with my crayons and Barbies
laughing without a care in the world
When I got a sticker
I would giggle with delight
as I tried very hard
to sit and be polite

Just before lunch I saw
a little girl
in her tiny pink skirt
rolling her eyes and
crossing her arms
turning away
from her innocence

What happened?

When I was your age
with my crayons and Barbies
laughing without a care in the world
I would run and play
with boys and girls
(despite their cooties)
all together, smiling away

Just today during lunch I saw
a girl and a boy
yelling and screaming
shouting and weeping
they were
but barely
higher than my waist

When I was your age
with my crayons and Barbies
laughing without a care in the world
My tears would spill out
if someone pushed me
my mouth would form an “O”
but they would soon apologize

Just this afternoon I saw
a little boy
a boyish smirk upon his face
push another little boy over
jeer and smirk
the victim turned and punched
the teacher nearby gave them only a glance

What happened?

When I was your age
with my crayons and Barbies
laughing without a care in the world
If I had an extra cookie
I would try and share with you
I would break it in half
and give you the bigger piece

Just this evening I saw
two girls
wearing matching colors
trotting down the street
fighting over a precious dolly
ripping apart her seams
their voices grew and arms flew
not thinking or wanting to share

What happened?

What happened?
Modernization happened.
“Civilization” happened.

When I was your age…