gazing at the night sky
i think
of carefree days
days when the darkness
gave way
to the purple haze of morning
days when driving home
was filled with laughter
and young giddiness
when whatever was done
during that night
didn't matter
because we were young
and free
to do as we pleased

not that i long to be that age again
but i do long for that spirit
carefree
arrogant
trouble free
not caring about anything
except what we can do
to have fun

age is an unsettling thing
the numbers are engraved in us
we are supposed to ignore that
but how?
how do you forget something
that is celebrated each year?
how do you ignore the questions of
how old?
when were you born?
when did you graduate?
when, when, when....?????

no matter how young you look
or act
you are still THAT age.

so...how can i act happy
be happy
when what i want is to act
and be the way i was
back then
back in the day...

...when the darkness
gave way
to the purple haze of morning
when driving home
was filled with laughter
and young giddiness
when whatever was done
during that night
didn't matter
because we were young
and free
to do as we pleased

...and we hadn't imagined
anything other than that.