skipping stones in the creek near the house
ripples sending a warning call through water
youth had already taken a hold, and it seemed
they'd never grow up.

fleeing for his life amongst fallen bodies
in this time, nothing is ever a joke like before
his worst fear was once scraped knees
but now, his worst fear is dying.

sitting on a dirty curb in a desolate slum
"please sir, please ma'am, extra change?"
weekly allowance was once perfectly fine
but now, 50 cents is hard to make do with.

they've grown up now.