so many years back
you sat behind me in math
and offered friendship

now my girls grumble
dress-ups and smiles now gone
where are my children?

i want them to live
to love like each day’s their last
will they forgive me?

i’m not eleven
though i remember too well
that ache from within

when nothing quite fits
but the soul you’re searching for
that you just can’t find

i want the smile
the go-with-me-anywhere
girls who i once had

i guess they’re gone now
lost in electronic maze
hearts closed to new friends

she looks just like you
it’s what i hear every day
just do the math, friend

she’s nothing like me
more brazen and justified
not like you and i