We were still small.
Small, chubby hands reaching for food,
adorable smiles on our tiny faces.
We would waddle around, traces of our youth transparent in our fiery moods,
But at times,
we would be all sunshine and smiles, baby features so fine.
Then we grew,
no longer waddling, but walking, barely,
the larger hands of our parents leading us down the sidewalk.
We made friends,
little girls and boys milling and laughing away in a blissful
Ignorant childhood, so much time to play.
We would all hold hands in circles and spin around,
and we all fell to the ground still laughing.
We grew some more,
but now the girls cluster with girls,
talking about makeup and what new fashion trend there is,
And the boys cluster with boys,
rowdy and comparing sport prowess and whatnot.
Things were still cheerful, though.
People still smiled.
Then we grew some more.
Girls talk about dating, flirting. They giggle in high pitched sounds.
Then the separation.
Friends parted because one was more “cool.” People stressed about school.
And suddenly, the smiles aren’t as frequent.
I wish.
I wish for a day,
We could all smile
Together
Again.