Island

I like adults.

I like when they come back home early.
I like when they don’t talk about work.
I like when they ask me to answer in class.
I like when they give me homework.

I like when they make me feel safe.
I like when they make everything alright.
I like when they hide their fights from me.
I like when they don’t die.

If I had my own little island somewhere,
I’d make sure that they would all be there.

I’d like to be an adult someday.

I like when they don’t tell me how to dress.
I like when they don’t ridicule my dreams.
I like when they forgive me for turning in work late.
I like when they don’t scream.

I like when they don’t force me to eat.
I like when they don’t tell me to stop.
I like when they believe me when I say I’m hurt.
I like when they believe any of my words at all.

I like when they don’t tell me what’s good for me.
I like when they don’t call me dumb.
I like when they realise that I’m just a child.
I like when they see where I’m coming from.

If I had my own little island somewhere,
I’d make sure I bury myself there
Before I turned into an adult like them.

Written by Harshita Khanna for MTTN

Featured Image by Shreya for MTTN

Edited by Aditi Atreya for MTTN