Walt Whitman the loss of innocence

"Demon or bird! (said the boy's soul,)Is it indeed toward your mate you sing? or is it really to me?For I, that was a child, my tongue's use sleeping, now I have heard you,Now in a moment I know what I am for, I awake....Never more the cries of unsatisfied love be absent from me,Never again leave me to be the peaceful child I was before whatthere in the night,By the sea under the yellow and sagging moon,The messenger there arous'd, the fire, the sweet hell within,The unknown want, the destiny of me." When did we stop being a child and become an adult. There are times I wish I was still 10 playing as a child enjoying the sunshine and games with my friends.