The child of my youth haunts my shadows
It hides within the depths of my mind
Directing me down dangerous pathways
Causing my inner adult to go blind

There isn’t a place that it doesn’t follow
I’m trailed by thoughts of narcissism and lying
To get what I want, when I want it
Or stick out my lip and start crying

This child distracts me from work and concentration
It always wants to go outside and play
Sometimes, at night, I can’t sleep a wink
Because I’m so tempted to disobey

It tells me to shout unnecessarily
To be quick to anger and jealousy
And bite and hit if I don’t like somebody
To be young and free

But today I saw the child of my youth
Staring at its reflection in a lake
Giggling and throwing rocks
Sticking out its tongue and making a face

I sauntered towards this creature
Just before the crimson sundown
Pushed it in the deepest water
And watched the child drown