Here's how it manifests in the poem:
* Loss of innocence: The speaker describes losing his "perfect" childhood and recognizing that life isn't always joyful. He mourns the loss of his "uncomplicated" past and the "magic" of childhood.
* Fear of the future: The speaker expresses fear and uncertainty about the future, wondering what lies ahead and fearing the responsibilities of adulthood.
* Growing awareness: The poem highlights the growing awareness of mortality, as the speaker feels "older" and realizes that time is passing. He starts noticing things he hadn't before, like the "uncertain" look on his father's face.
* Desire for control: The speaker wants to hold onto the "perfect" memories of childhood, but realizes that time keeps moving forward. He even tries to "erase" the number "ten" from his memory.
Overall, "Turning Ten" captures the universal experience of transitioning into adulthood. It's a poignant and relatable poem about the conflicting emotions of leaving childhood behind while facing the unknown and unpredictable future.