Age + Self Esteem: A Funhouse Mirror

babies are born with
nothing in their brains
or everything
i’m always reading
i had to learn it all
to forget again
and we just can’t win
nothing in the world makes
any sense
i’ve got the basics
but all the best things
you can’t repeat again

what they say
is it true?
beauty is such a waste
on the youth?
i used to stare
in mirrors
sucking in, 21

oh its fun to look back
think of all my reactions
so silly naive and
partially stupid
i was deluded
i couldn’t see myself
through the glass

so if that's
how you wanna be
you wanna be
well i can’t stop you
(just know that i’d hope to)

being young and naive
can get you pretty far if you ask me
everybody laughs so casually
they buckle you into the car
and light all your cigarettes
hand in hand with some idiots
but they usher past the bouncer
and you’re like,
fuck i’m in the club
what what!

oh but, when you reach the age
of buying beer for your friends!
oh, what it would take
for me to be excited again?
all the dirty 40 year olds sucking
the life from the kids
and all the kids are racing up
to be as grown as they can!

kid, take it slow
you can chill, you ain't grown
to stare in mirrors,
sucking in, 21