this poem shows the reality of becoming older. it is not as exciting as it may seem because it is quite depressing to think that you cannot be a child anymore. not only do others expect more of you because you are now "mature", but you expect more of yourself too. it is no longer okay to have an imaginary friend when you are ten. oh no, that is no longer "cool". in addition your imagination starts to escape you and you no longer find the fun it playing with action heroes or Barbie and Ken. soon enough people expect you to have a boyfriend or girlfriend (you're eleven years old!!!)and you start to give into peer pressure. now you hardly recognize your childhood. it is gone from your grasp and can no longer be retrieved from the depths of your soul. Billy Collins truly portrays this sadness and great loss terrifically with his amazing poetic abilities.