I never understood why we could look back on our childhood and always remember one thing; candy stores
When I was ten years old with bright blue eyes and light curly hair
My daddy took me to the one place he knew any child could find solace
A boardwalk taffy shop
I remember how the counters were aligned with jars of every chocolate and sweet ever created
The fifties music playing in the background
People fighting their way to the front of the line to indulge their senses

And even to this day I can visualize the taffy being spun around a long-winded machine
Growing and puttering and creating
With wide eyes we all watched what sweet temptations we would soon pop into our drooling mouths
Devouring one piece of candy and my eyes rolling back
Loving what I couldn’t have too much of

Two days later, my daddy took my eyes to perceive the world from an aerial view; my first helicopter ride
And I remember that too
Hundreds of feet above the rocks, the bustling, hundreds of feet above everything
And my eyes as blue as the ocean beneath me
Afraid of what was below, I set my sights among seaside mansions and castles of beauty

And I remember that too
Just like the taffy, it was all too sweet
Knowing I couldn’t have too much
But loving it anyways