have you seen my childhood?

i let go of her hand

for a moment last year

and she hasn’t since returned

to remind me to smile

once in a while.

have you seen my childhood?

she’s got long brown hair

and she smells like sunblock.

she only cries when she falls

and she doesn’t like to hurt.

have you seen my childhood?

she prefers denim to dresses

and worries about her coin collection

and not her reflection.

have you seen my childhood?

she always has time to read

and she still thinks she can dance

and she never needs to swallow her pride

to ask for help.

have you seen my childhood?

she knows she can tell her mom anything

and her dad can still pick her up

and carry her on his shoulders.

she thinks everyone is immortal.

she doesn’t notice her parents’

gray hairs


just yet.

have you seen my childhood?

i let go of her hand

and i told her i didn’t want her

anymore,



but i do.

i do.