When Does One Come of Age?

When does one come of age?

What a thought,

that burns in my mind.

Coming of age means nothing.

*

The child

making their own meals

peanut butter and jelly

cared for oneself.

*

The child

raped at 10

sexual knowledge

did not mean coming of age.

*

The child

taken from the family

abandoned

Premature coming of age.

*

The child

grows to 16

drives self to rehab

first adult decision

*

Coming of age

calls for care of others

Handicapped siblings

were my responsibility.

*

Coming of age

calls for employment.

child labor

providing for self at 16.

*

Coming of age

defines one

builds one

If raised normal.

*

Coming of age

looks different

depending on

many factors.

*

Coming of age?

Means nothing

when one child

was forced to grow up before time.

*

One wonders

what it is like,

to grow up

coming of age like others.