I’ve turned twenty today,
And I think celebrating
birthdays is absolutely absurd.
I’ve turned twenty today,
And suddenly the gravity
Of my thoughts is heavier.
And I’ve learned that people
Live in a perpetual state of pretence,
And it takes a number of seasons
To genuinely fathom a being.
I’ve turned twenty today,
But I don’t understand in what manner
Am I actually maturing.
I’ve turned twenty today,
And indeed, I’ve grown, for now I can
Recognise people by their footsteps.
But I still don’t understand the way
I ought to cry in front of others.
And I still look up at the sky
When an airplane passes by.
I’ve turned twenty today,
But I could’ve so easily been sixty
Or perhaps six.
I’ve turned twenty today,
And I reminisce how I used to
Sit on the tummies of my parents
And smile profusely in their faces
And plant a kiss or two on their cheeks.
The same cheeks, I pinch sometimes
And realise they’re growing older too.
I’ve turned twenty today,
And I don’t wish to age any more
For nothing is as simple as it used to be.
I’ve turned twenty today,
But someone said that I’m still nineteen
And I’m all the ages I have ever been
Along with being twenty.
So I won’t think too much,
I’ll eat big clouds of cotton candies
And watch the airplanes pass by.
I’ve turned twenty today,
And it doesn’t really matter,
But I’ve lived two decades
And I think it’s okay
To feel a little proud of that.
Sadaf Fatima is a college student who likes to read and write.
Featured image: Matthew Ball / Unsplash