In this poem the poet is in a dilemma as to where his childhood has disappeared.

He is not sure ,at what stage he should make the demarcation.

 In this poem, the poet, Markus Natten wonders when and where he lost his childhood. In this quest to find the moment he grew up, Markus highlights the innocence and faith he lost even as he gained rational individuality. Adolescence is usually a confusing time for a child who is unable to immediately come to terms with the physical, hormonal and psychological changes in his or her personality. He no longer feels like a child but is not quite ready to call himself an adult either.

When did my childhood go? The poet wonders when he lost his childhood. He muses Was it the day I ceased to that perhaps it was the day be eleven. he realised that the concepts Was it the time I realised of Heaven and Hell . that Hell and Heaven, Geography textbooks did not Could not be found in give the location of any such Geography, place.The poet realises that And therefore could not be, he might have lost his Was that the day! childhood when he gained this rational outlook.

POEM
When did my childhood go? Was it the time I realised that adults were not All they seemed to be, They talked of love and preached of love, But did not act so lovingly, Was that the day!

PARAPHRASE
The poet recalls the time when he realised that the adults around him did not practice what they preached. They told the poet to be loving and caring, however, they were themselves argumentative, violent and discourteous. Their behaviour was a far cry from the love they sermonised about and advocated so reverently to the child.

POEM
When did my childhood go? Was it when I found my mind was really mine, To use whichever way I choose, Producing thoughts that were not those of other people But my own and mine alone Was that the day!

PARAPHRASE
As he grew up, the poet realised that his mind was unique, could form its own opinions and could take its own decisions. His own experiences shaped his thoughts now and he realised that this might have been the time he lost his childhood innocence completely.

POEM

PARAPHRASE
The poet is eager to know when he lost his childhood. He makes a guess. Perhaps his childhood has gone to a place which has been forgotten. All that he remembers is that perhaps his childhood is lying hidden in the face of an infant.

Where did my childhood go? It went to some forgotten place, That is hidden in an infants face, Thats all I know.