On Turning Ten

I discovered this poem through my writing class (as I usually discover poetry, etc.) and I love it. I think maybe because I was sort of the opposite; I couldn't wait to grow up. And sort of still can't (I cannot wait to finally be able to DRIVE!!:) but I am definetly realizing the responsibilities that come with getting older and occasionally miss the good 'ol days when i could throw my hair in a ponytail and play all day with the boys, but of course now that would probably be considered flirting- but I'll save that whole other entry for another time. 

SO here it is- it's called "On Turning Ten" by Billy Collins:

The whole idea of it makes me feel
like I'm coming down with something,
something worse than any stomach ache
or the headaches I get from reading in bad light-
a kind of measles of the spirit,
a mumps of the psyche,
a disfiguring chicken pox of the soul.

You tell me it is too early to be looking back,
but that is because you have forgotten
the perfect simplicity of being one
and the beautiful complexity introduced by two.
But I can lie on my bed and remember every digit.
At four I was an Arabian wizard.
I could make myself invisible
by drinking a glass of milk a certain way.
At seven I was a soldier, at nine a prince.

But now I am mostly at the window
watching the late afternoon light.
Back then it never fell so solemnly
against the side of my tree house,
and my bicycle never leaned against the garage
as it does today,
all the dark blue speed drained out of it.

This is the beginning of sadness, I say to myself,
as I walk through the universe in my sneakers.
It is time to say good-bye to my imaginary friends,
time to turn the first big number.

It seems only yesterday I used to believe
there was nothing under my skin but light.
If you cut me I could shine.
But now when I fall upon the sidewalks of life,
I skin my  knees. I bleed.