The timidity of the child . . . is entirely reasonable; they are alarmed at this world, because this world is a very alarming place.
Childhood is the barrel they give you / to go over the falls in.
Adults are always telling young people, “These are the best years of your life.” Are they? I don’t know. Sometimes when adults say this to children I look into [the children’s] faces. They look like someone on the top seat of the Ferris wheel who has had too much cotton candy and barbecue. They’d like to get off and be sick but everyone keeps telling them what a good time they’re having.
