Still

I am still the kindergartener who can read the newspaper, looking
I am still the painfully quiet, shy second grader, watching
I am still the third grader who is scared of the Thriller video, worrying
I am still the fourth grader who loves to write, thinking
I am still the fifth grader who has a propensity to breakdance, grooving
I am still the sixth grader who finds solace while climbing trees, hiding
I am still the seventh grader with horrible skin, blushing
I am still the eighth grader with a permed mullet, joking
I am still the choral singing high schooler in Ireland, driving
I am still the opera singing college student in China, exploring
I am still the music teacher in Santa Rosa, learning
I am still the camper under the stars, dreaming
I am still the starving artist in San Francisco, thriving
I am still the traveler on a road across the country, challenging
I am still creating and amazing my parents, loving....
I look around and notice all of this movement,
And ironically,
I am still