The Tender Years

by Cynthia Ruth Lewis

I've been told

that I'm far too intense about things;

that I'm much too negative, bitter

and cynical regarding people, situations

and life in general

they say

it's a shame to view everything in a bad light,

to always be doubtful of outcomes,

expecting only the worst

they tell me

to attempt putting things

in a different perspective;

try looking at the world

through the eyes of a child

I tell them

that depends on the child