If the past is but an illusion
and the present is all that I am,
then it’s an illusion that has made me strong;
all those things that didn’t go as planned.

I drift now, happy to observe life
as it happens around me,
as it whisks me along with it,
I’m trying to stay grounded.

And I love now, passionately.
Not with a flame, but now I am the sun.
I have my own mind,
but I’m made up of everyone.

I am human enough to feel
slow crushing of heart,
but I am angel enough
to not fall apart.

Turning twenty two,
A girl can forget everything she once knew,
A birthday comes just once a year
Some people revel in it,
Whilst others hide it.


The day you celebrate
You also mourn for the girl you once were
As you realise you are not her anymore
You may shed a tear
As you say goodbye to yet another year


A year filled with heartbreak, love, friendship
Life changing lessons
Perhaps it was a year
Where something truly amazing happened
After twenty one years
You realised your worth on this earth and put it into action


So take a second to shed a tear                                    
To raise a glass
Because twenty one was really quite class
Then look ahead because you never know twenty two could be your year.

The times of existential angst are done,
And so are times of reckless assumptions,
Pretentiousness of insecurities gone,
Along the astray ways, and their seductions.
I have become twenty-two, and my eyes
See differently; no darkness anymore,
They're open wide like rosy morning-skies,
With a steady gaze, brighter than before.
But I don't claim to know it all, no – never,
For I surely know that I do not know,
Seeking meanings with all my heart forever,
Making me human, and making me grow.
    There is much left to see, and learn, and sing,
    I'm curious; let's see what fate will bring.

Two years into adulting.
It’s possible, who knew?
I look the same as yesterday
But today I’m twenty two!

Dentist trips still freak me out,
Sometimes I burn an egg.
My blanket covers both my feet,
So monsters won’t grab my leg.

I don’t go out on Friday night,
My ankles feel the weather.
And when I help the kids with homework,
We both learn math together.

Sometimes I’ll burst out crying
For no reason at all.
I know the words to one rap song,
And still prefer guys tall.

My puns are all intended,
There is a spoon I hate,
I’ll never mix my whites and brights,
I can’t stay up too late.

My life has been a wild ride
But I’m thankful for each day.
One day I hope to be mature,
One day... but not today.

twenty-two years

I should be mad as hell
I should be opening another door
I should have seen more of the world
I should have made my name known
I should take on the world
I should make a change

It is a daily battle between young and grown

I shouldn't be so naive
I should leave the world alone
I won't try to my name known
I have seen the borders of my world
I will let the door stay shut
I am content

twenty-two more