BETWEEN 3 & 9

I was 3
by the time
I realised I was alive

became aware
I lived
in a world

wondered where
I'd been before
realisation set in

now I existed
with the knowledge
of who I was

I had become
me
my mind opening to time

I was 9
when I knew
I would have to die

no longer
be me
no longer be

part of all this
whole wide world
time going on without me

between 3 and 9
living and dying
making this world

all the more
precious
because it is so