I used to swear 

when it was hard to blink

that I would never cope

with a bitter coffee drink.

I used to wince 

at the minty green treat

with chocolate chunks

my mom would eat.

I used to freeze

when I heard the sting

of an angry word

in the songs they sing.

But now I'm grown

or I think it so

because the burn in my throat

is free to come and go.