I Left My Childhood Behind Me

A vision clear and pure, I have
Of water spilling o'er the rocks,
And branches reaching down for me.
To tickle my bare nose.

I dip bare feet into that stream
And pick a leaf from that green tree.
As I study what I've found
I feel myself grow up.

From child to mother in this dream
I grow in age and sweat, and spite
So when I finally reach my age,
I put my shoes back on.

I run away from that small place
As quickly as I feel I should.
Now all that's left of that sweet dream:
A longing for my past.