we were just children

childhood reflections

We were just children, 
following the trees,
listening for your voice in morning birdsongs.
the scent of cedar and sticky pine on our hands,
rough feet sliding down the lane,
we are searching for magic
hidden in the brush,
mere ordinary days,
awaiting the chance to change our fate.
we were just children,
the future was a fairy tale in a dream.
somehow we thought we could change 
the color of the earth around us,
we made a reverie that could gleam like the sun on a far away sea,
decadent and sweet; candy melted on our tongues,
one taste we would never forget - 
we were going to have it all.
but we were just children,
how were we supposed to know?
as we grew the burdens remained, dull and bitter grey,
no matter where we searched
a stagnant truth unfolded,
discarding our dreams,
all the times they let us believe there could be more to life
and now here we are – 
we never had a chance. 

---

I wrote this some time last year, starting it while I was on a hike. I was very much alone in the woods until I wasn’t and I passed an older couple on the trail and exchanged pleasantries with and when the walked away - the distinct scent of licorice hung in the air and followed me. I’m not trying to say there was something wrong with the people, but I dislike licorice so much it left an impression in my mind and the words just tumbled out.