just before they tumble
and fumble their way down the hall
it is the right of passage
the tunnel of unspoken darkness
where you long to turn on the light

i am not as good as you think
i like to dream
i like the way dreams move
and the way dreams drink

but this is where love faces a test
the moment,
all our little flaws avalanche
and when we are exposed
as the damaged petty,
little individuals that we can all be

i hunger for this,
the smile,
the joke,
a twinkle in the eye

and consequence
maybe just a cargo
of responsibility
that barely fits in the hold

when she is an adult
she may look back
at being a child
with a tear
or maybe a smile

things have changed
my name,
it feels like it has a new tag
i have spent too long lately
just feeling sad

to bow down,
in their holy church
and i really do not want
their own brand preaching