if i could time travel i’d go back to the first grade
to my first love
he may have hidden from me
but he never rejected me or my calls, and he never cheated

if i could time travel i’d go back to second grade
to my loving family
they complimented my existence
and they never yelled or shouted or did any damage

if i could time travel i’d go back to third grade
to my foreign friends
who liked me because i was me
instead of bearing with me because i was there

if i could time travel i’d go back to fourth grade
to teachers who were fun
the ones who gave no homework
instead of the ones who spoon feed me stress

if i could time travel i’d go back to fifth grade
to graduation
a time i was excited for the new world
not scared that i wouldn’t have any idea what to be

if i could time travel i’d go back to sixth grade
to music
which wove a harmless melody
and wasn’t only there to comfort my sorrows and my pains

if i could time travel i’d go back to seventh grade
to books
there for my pleasure
instead of an escape from the real world

if i could time travel i’d go back to eighth grade
to my Birthday
another year older
instead of another year closer to my deadline

if i could time travel i’d go back to freshman year
to my successes
and the confidence they brought me
not the pressure to do more and to always be better

if i could time travel i wouldn’t
because i’ve been through so much
going back would be even worse
than going forward