Things were different in first grade

The first day
of first grade
is just like kindergarten
but you are no longer the youngest kids
and that
obviously
makes you really cool

you skip in the halls
eyes closed
smile beaming 
and talk to people

you are friends with all the people in your class
no polite small talk required
just say what you think
and all your thoughts are about recess 
and jail tag
and slides on the playground 
so it is not really a problem

and if you cry 
for the smalllest reason
someone will hand you a playground toy
and that is it
you do not 
for the life of you
remember why you were in tears a minute  before

and now 
in 7th grade 
it is so clear
things were different in first grade