Say every year is a step away
From who you once were
And is a step closer
To who you will be
Ten years is ten steps
Ten steps and ten lessons
Ten lessons that shape
Who you will become
In ten years you will be
Ten steps away from now
And ten steps
Closer to then
Say ten years ago you liked fiction
And now, ten years later,
You only read memoirs
Say ten years ago you were angry
An now, ten years later,
You can’t remember why
Say ten years ago your hair was brown
And now, ten years later
Your hair is blonde
Say ten years from now you live
In a big city with loud noises
But now, ten years before,
You live at home and are uncertain
Say ten years ago you
Would never do that
And now, ten years later,
It is all you ever do
Ten years full of growth
Ten years full of lessons
Ten years full of discovering
You and what makes you whole
Say ten years ago you felt alone
And now, ten years later,
You have comfort
In solitude
Inspired by “You Are Jeff” by Richard Siken