In this poem the poet is in a dilemma as to where hischildhood has disappeared.He is not sure ,at what stagehe 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?Was it the day I ceased to be eleven.Was it the time I realised that Hell and Heaven,Could not be found in Geography,And therefore could not be,Was that the day!

The poet wonders when he lost his childhood. He muses that perhaps it was the day he realised that the concepts of Heaven and Hell . Geography textbooks did not give the location of any such place.The poet  realises that he might have lost his childhood when he gained this rational outlook.

POEMWhen did my childhood go?Was it the time I realised that adults were notAll 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. 

POEMWhen 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 peopleBut my own and mine aloneWas that the day!

PARAPHRASEAs 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

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

PARAPHRASEThe 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.