we walked in

We walked into elementary school
small eyes and clear minds.
Riding the bus was the thing to do.
Hayley was always missing one of her teeth
and had to have her mom do her hair every morning.
Keaton would always be a foot taller than everyone else in our grade
and was one of my best friends.
I would never break the rules
and thought the worst thing was not being invited to a party.

We walked into  middle school
bright eyes and newly shaped minds.
The bus was a place for gossip.
Hayley got braces
and learned how to crimp and curl her hair.
Keaton went to a different school
but we still found a way to text.
I learned to take a few risks
and thought the worst thing was not having the right thing to wear.

We walked into high school
dull eyes and narrow minds.
Riding the bus was something no one wanted to do.
Hayley's braces came off, she wanted whiter teeth
and she did her hair everyday.
Keaton still went to another school
and I hadn't talked to him in two years.
I rebelled against the rules
and thought the worst thing is to have your heart broken.

We went our own ways
wandering eyes and hardened minds.
Wishing we could go back to the innocent bus rides.
Hayley can't go out in public without makeup on
and her hair done perfectly.
Keaton is just a memory
and I wonder what happened to him.
I watch the world with sadness
and I know the worst thing is yourself.

love, savannah