When I was young
and still is
I saw beauty in everyone
I love who embrace
and love me back
I was innocent
and I love to laugh,
play,sing, dance,
with friends
when I was young
and still is
I found boys beautiful
strong, courageous
appealing and I wanted
their attention to love
me back as I love them
and did for awhile
when I was young
and still is I did not
know ‘pain exist
until my daddy part
my mommy part
and boys part
and then I open my eyes
and realize ‘pain
teaches me about
the real world
what it takes to live
what it takes to breathe
what it takes to be
a woman
when I was young
and still is.