Back Then

Juice box in my hand, grass stains on my jeans Skippin’ stones, makin’ dreams where the world was clean Mama callin’ from the porch when the streetlights blink Now I’m out late, heart cold, I don’t stop to think Used to trade cards, now it’s credit and debt Used to chase stars, now I chase a check Innocence lost in a world so complex But I still keep a photo in my wallet for the wrecks I miss the days when we had no pain Cartoons loud while it rained on the pane No bills, no mask, just bikes and games Now it’s all smoke, gold chains, and fame Now I ride foreign, but I miss that bike Used to race my brother home before the night Now I’m dodgin’ texts, keepin’ guards up tight But back then, all I needed was the light Time moves fast, but the heart stays stuck In a treehouse dream that I never grew up These chains shine bright but they weigh too much Still that barefoot kid in my soul shows up I miss the days when we had no pain Cartoons loud while it rained on the pane No bills, no mask, just bikes and games Now it’s all smoke, gold chains, and fame