Once they called her the child Sweet and innocent and pure, she was A smile like a wild blossoming lily A grin like freshly ripened corn Laughter as charming as fresh rains Joy as dazzling as sunlight Then, not so much a child As a tired, sweaty adult Rules and codes; etiquette Money to earn and bills to pay No time to laugh, no time to smile The sun closes down, the rains fall short Where has the radiant she gone to? They ask Adulthood, the grim reply.