When I was Younger

There was a time when life was simple, 

back when I was younger.

People cared and days were long, 

back when I was younger.

My thoughts were fanciful,

My future delightful,

My friends plentiful,

back when I was younger.

Today I see things differently than 

back when I was younger.

My heart yearns mightily and my memories take me

back to when I was younger.

And yet those younger years,

though filled with happy times,

were also touched with pain...

the pain of being younger.

~Laura Paxton, 2015