When Did I Grow Up? Poem by Kushagra Agarwal

Did I grow up, when I realized,

That my parents are not perfect, but flawed too,

They are like others, and have committed their share of crime.

Or did I grow up, when I learned,

Those teachers were not there to help me learn,

But to collect their monthly salary in time.



Did I grow up, when I realized,

That God does not listen to my fancies,

For I fancied a jumbo crayon set, but it did not materialize.

Or did I grow up, when I learned,

How stupid the Idea of god listening to my fancies was,

While thousands die famished, hunger burning in their eyes.



Did I grow up, when I realized,

That life does not serve each the same platter,

One gets meat, while the other hardly any rice.

Or did I grow up, when I learned,

That there is no yin and yang, nor black and white,

Only different shades of gray-some dark, some bright.



Did I grow up, when I realized,

That friends were not friends, but mere acquaintances,

Many go without a notice, as many more come by.

Or did grow up, when I learned,

That I was, but a matter of chance,

And had no existential purpose attached to my life.



Did I grow up? I hope I didn't,

For I am still far from perfect,

Miles behind from where I want to be.

Do I want to grow up? No, I don't,

For once you grow up, there is not much left,

You must wither down to make room for the next.