Grown up
What do you want to be
When you grow up?
Today it’s a doctor,
Yesterday, a chemist,
Last week, a singer.
It doesn’t matter
Because at eight,
You can be anything.
What are you going to be
When you grow up?
Now I say a professor,
Because I want to sound smart,
And really,
It doesn’t matter
Because at twelve,
You can change your mind.
What will your major be
When you grow up?
I hesitate, because I don’t know.
My friends do,
And somehow, I missed the memo.
But now it matters
Because at sixteen,
You should have a plan.
Who are you going to be
Now that you’re grown up?
And it hits me that “grown up”
Was never something I thought I would achieve.
Someday, somewhere, someone
And it’s all that matters
Because at twenty,
Grown up is just a child’s game.
Copyright © Emma Howard | Year Posted 2026
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