Five Again

Recess by the slides,
bark prickles my skin.
Those days when I’d cry
for I was alone again.

But tell me lover,
if we were kids together -
circa ‘98 or ‘05, doesn’t matter -
in the sandpit, would we find each other?

Because childhood nostalgia
appears like a monster.
But it would’ve been nice
if you found me when we cried.

We could run down hills
like we do these days.
Chasing that thrill and
bicker on who won the race.

You could join me and
play with the trees.
Walking together at home time,
talking to the streetlights.

Caught up in your mischief
we’re jesters in paper crowns.
Growing up was always tough
but would we laugh like we do now?

Would you hold my arm
without a care of what we’d become?
Making my heart beat 2-46.
Secrets locked between pinkies and lips.

Birthday invitations,
golden rings and celebrations.
All the things I’ve missed,
until the day you saw me like this.

So tell me friend,
if we were five again
would we be playmates?
How I wish we had those days.
But at least at present
we have each other’s presence.