You meant well
but if I could go back
I would implore you
let me loose
on the world
trust that I can learn
in the bright cold air
agitate my curiosity
make me gasp
with wonder
take me to the edge of the sea
and tell me only
that there is so much down there
we don’t know
you wouldn’t teach tennis
from a book
but you buckled science
into a desk
you fed me dust
and asked why
I was not hungry
it wasn’t your fault
someone told you to do it that way
but I wish I’d had the courage to say
I am done giving answers
brace yourself
for my questions.