What do I want to be when I grow up?
If you insist I must grow up instead of out,
That I can no longer claim immaturity
As an escape from taking responsibility,
That I must act like an adult in all my dealings,
That I can no longer play with childlike abandon,
That I must take seriously all the problems of the world,

Then growing up might not be something
I would find desirable,
That I would be willing to put a lot of effort into.
I would refuse to give up simplicity for complexity,
Freedom for heavy obligation,
Living joyously in the present
Rather than shouldering the burden of an uncertain future.

If I have to grow up
I want to be as playful as possible,
To laugh more than cry.
I want to continue to ripen,
Without rotting out.
I want to quit playing it safe
And risk it all if necessary.
I want to give myself away,
Again and again.

If that's what it means to grow up,
And I can have it my way.
Okay.