2025/Evan-34756

I grew up where the summers stick,

Where lanterns glow on quiet streets,

And vending machines hum and click—

A rhythm tucked between the beats.

Life moved fast, but never stayed.

New faces showed, then disappeared.

We played, we laughed, we drifted away—

Just like I always kinda feared.

The city buzzed beneath my shoes,

With train rides out to who-knows-where.

Some days felt big, some small, some bruised—

But change was always in the air.

I ran through woods, climbed hills alone,

Played ball until the sky turned gold.

Didn’t realize how fast time's flown—

Not till the quiet days felt old.

I miss it now, the mess, the flow—

But maybe that’s just how things go.

When you’re getting close to grown.

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This poem is a reflection of my life growing up, having lived in Japan nearly all my life, and how I have seen many friends come and go, as they move away and I stay.