That Was THen & This Is Now

Then it was simple,
nothing but childhood fears,
looking under the bed for monsters,
and things that could have never been real.

Now it gets a bit harder,
worries at home and at school,
fearing consequences and dangers,
that go along with breaking the rules.

Then it was so easy,
thinking everyone was so nice,
and skipping down the block,
with nothing more than delight.

Now it's pretty difficult,
knowing the world's not so clean,
having to watch around you,
and witness so much danger that is seen.

Then it was like a dream,
automatic friends,
fights over bits of candy,
thinking friendships could never end.

But now I see it clearer,
you make friends for yourself,
and many of them turn out to be people,
you wish you'd never met.

Then it was easy, but we were weak,
But we've gotten stronger over time somehow,
but then again I notice,
That Was Then & This Is Now.