Memories Gold

By Vivian Rice

Maya was three, she wanted to grow to five,

To Kindergarten she’d finally arrive.

Maya was five, she couldn’t wait to be seven,

First grade would be her new haven.

Maya was seven, she waited for ten,

For she’d be double digits then.

Maya was ten, she wanted eleven’s thrill,

Middle school would be new and chill.

Maya was eleven, she wanted thirteen’s bliss,

Then she’d be cool, twelve she wouldn’t miss.

Maya was thirteen, yet fifteen seeming so far,

She wanted to drive in her mum’s car

Maya was fifteen but yearned for sixteen’s glory,

Her desire was to steer her own story.

Maya was sixteen but looked for eighteen to appear,

High school was ending and college was near.

Maya was eighteen, sights set on twenty-one’s glee,

She’d be a real adult then, happy, you see.

Maya was twenty-one, ahead was twenty-three,

She’d graduate from college and then be free.

Maya was twenty-nine but no longer did she pine,

For years not ahead, instead, she cried,

“Oh! How I wish this age was not mine!”

Overworked, stressed, exhausted, and tried.

“If only I’d savored my childhood,

Then life wouldn’t seem as bleak and cold.

I’d recreate those warm times if I could,

If only I’d cherished my youth, those memories gold.”