Things I Outgrew

By Chaitra Ramalingegowda

A frock here,

a skirt there,

a ribbon in my hair

and a scrappy teddy bear,

are just a few things I outgrew.

A bagful of beloved schoolbooks,

a few dozen forgotten childhood nooks,

a game of monopoly,

and ignorance about broccoli,

are just a few things I outgrew.

A love for two ponytails,

a knack for telling funny tales,

a game of hopscotch,

and running against the stopwatch,

are just a few things I outgrew.

A time for secret crushes,

a bunch of adolescent blushes,

a time to feel grown up,

but not really having done up,

are just a few things I outgrew.

A hug when I’m feeling blue,

a touch of a hand when I uncomfortably grew,

a smile of solidarity,

a connection of familiarity,

a laugh at an awkward joke,

a chance at an ego stroke,

a grin hiding deep sorrow,

and a wait for a better tomorrow,

are just a few things I will never outgrow.

By Chaitra Ramalingegowda