When you’re older, you’ll remember none of this.
You’ll think back on these years
and struggle to put together a couple of images
of this time
wondering what your life was all about.

You’ll be curious about the fashions
and the religions
and the codes of conduct
separating your present
from this particular past.
When you’re older,
almost all of this will be lost.

It’s not so bad.
Many block out traumas anyhow
and you’ll just naturally have aged out
of the pain you’re feeling now.
You’ll easily outgrow it.
You’ll heal,
practically accidentally.

Still, you will ask sometimes
about the scars
and the aches
and the splash of visuals
flashing across your brain
from month to month.
It won’t be so bad.
It would be worse to remember.