I remember when

it used to be so hard

to stay up

past eleven,

or even midnight,

but now,

we can count ourselves lucky

if the stillness of sleep

brushes our minds

by two or three.

 

I remember when

it was a competition

to see

who could stay up the longest,

and whoever fell asleep first

was weak

and woke up with sharpie on their face.

But now,

it's a competition to see

who can convince sleep to come

the soonest

and stay the longest.

 

I remember when

we walked around

bright eyed and excited for each day,

but now,

we walk around

carrying the baggage of our souls

under our eyes

and in our hearts.

 

I remember when

life was good,

but times have changed.