As A Youth

While green ripe & young,
I danced to the beat
Of a wild kingdom
Bees, birds, & monkeys.
Naive & gleeful
Not tamed by reason.

While green ripe & young,
I drew, ran, & flew
Barefaced through open air.
A floppy tan hat
Hid large taintless eyes
Undaunted by shame.

While green ripe & young,
I read for hours,
Rising only to quench,
A bodily thirst
That subdued my child's
Curiosity.

While young, I dreamt of
Huckleberry Finn,
Tom Sawyer & slingshots.
Possibilities
& butterflies were
Hobbies I discerned.

Abilities &
Actualities
Were not my concerns.

Young & undisguised,
I loved my brother,
Admired my father,
& longed for a mother.
I did not sit to think,
Life would stay this way.

Gray seasoned & old,
I listened to men
& heard their vile thoughts.
Naked & ashamed,
I fled my kingdom,
& tamed my dance.