If i were ten

ten is a tender age
at ten, i’ll know nothing
i won’t be critical, I’ll be a child
i’ll act ten
be ten
probably look ten
walk like I’ll soon be eleven
but if I were ten and smart
i’ll be aware when my voice breaks.
i’ll choose to live outside my house
maybe choose another family
maybe another God
ten is a tender age
and these would have been
too much war to wage.

leonell echa