Time flies and so do I

Sixteen years chase at my heels

My legs--new and grown-up sized--propel me forward into the light of the future

I extend a limb, groping for freedom 

My fingertips graze the magnificent unknown

The independence delves into my skin

It thrusts through my veins, spreading like an oil spill

Along my fingers, through my hands

Bleeding up my arms and fanning out into my neck and chest

Tarnishing my innocence

But my senses are invigorated

All I want is more of whatever this is

I want its energy to rush over my tongue

And for its matter to thrill my body

For my skin to tingle with this sensation of freedom

My legs push faster and faster

Harder and harder

Driving me forward into the future: the source of this freedom

Freedom

But I am only a slave

I am harnessed by an iron rope

Composed of the unyielding ore of society

In the rope pulls a strand of the law

Reminding me that I will continue this exhausting marathon for twenty four more months

Adding to the rope is the mineral grasp of my parents

A rude reminder me that I cannot fly

Weighing me down, down, down to the ground

A metal graduation cord grasps my torso

Whispering that if I refuse proper schooling I will not succeed

That I must refuse education in order to obtain a degree

I longingly lurch forward into the light of the future

The light of freedom and the unknown

But the grip of the iron-fisted society is too strong 

The metallic monster reaches and tears at me

At last concealing my tired eyes from the light 

And consuming my excitement for the future behind me