On Turning Ten

The Author had deep, fulfilling dreams as a kid. He wanted to save lives, be in a magical dream, save citizens, and rule the world.  He ponders each night wondering why he wasn't doing any of those dreams he had such high hopes for.  He reflects on his own reflection; he decides to let them go.  He is too old to think such things.  He is no longer young and enthusiastic; he is now a middle aged man working a minimum paying job.  He once was a shinning star, and believed nothing could take his light.  However, time after time, his light began to fade. The poem is effective because it mentions the past, future, and present.  It gives examples of his feelings and uses vivid similes.  This poem fits into my own personal childhood experience because all of us have had dreams as a kid, at different ages.  We all have experienced the happy moments when we want to become something that includes something we love doing.  For example, at age ten, I wanted to be a vet. By age thirteen, I wanted to be an actress. Five years later, I still don't know what I positively wanted to do. No one knows. That's why we all take one day at a time, and let fate decide for us.  Maybe the Author was destined to not be any of the things he wanted to be as a child.  He didn't grasp his dreams and capture the moment himself.