when i was a kid
i imagined
the stars
were
cigarette holes
in the
construction paper
sky

i imagined
once
you became
an adult
and
could do
what you wanted
it was
always a party

that love was forever

whiskey
tasted
like
apple juice

and happiness was a given

i got it all wrong

dreams
are
recycled
brain dumps

joy is fleeting

everything
but
sorrow
is
temporary
at best

hope
is a
carrot
dangling
just out
of reach

and
the stars
most
have already
burnt out
we
just don’t know it
yet