Growing Up

I thought growing up
Would be an unwanted chore
Like picking up socks, or washing dishes
I thought it would be hard work
That you do
Only
When everyone is looking

I thought growing up would be
too expensive
and costly
Full of things I did not want to give up
Like wedgies
And cuddles
And silly giggles

I thought I would just do it
When the time came
And when the time came
I would know

I would be ready
I would be grown up
And contained
I would smile at appropriate things
And not be afraid of big dogs

The time never came
And growing up creeped up on me
And greeted me from the inside

She arrived like an old friend
With no luggage at the door
Just a smile
And an urge to let her in.