A little less:

It felt like I had lost something, 

like it trickled out of me, 

drip by drip.

I felt a little less whole,

like the gaps in my ribs had grown too wide.

I realized that I had lost it some time before, 

but hadn’t noticed. The rush to fast,

the expectations too big,

and responsibilities to grand to still be a child.

So, I had lost my childhood.

The wrinkled laughter faded out and the sound became faint.

The soft mother love was slowly replaced by a woman that was only a shell.

 Her, once supportive, 

now pushing at limits and testing boundaries. 

Memories were put away and now, the things around only inspired me to be quiet.