was i like that
did i think that way
was that me

how i long for those days
lost in my innocence
care free
playing and running

skinned knees
tousled hair
toothless grins
dirty fingernails

tree forts
and the war against
"COOTIES"
make believe
with no boundaries

pretending to be grown up
or our illusions
of adultdom
while we played
and played
still playing

these were the days
of the indescribable
school hot plates
with the mystery meat
of the day

friends and foes
deep social wounds
at the most simplistic
of cut downs
then forgiven in mere
seconds

gym class and recess
flash cards and spelling bees
forgetting our locker combinations
and running for the bus
to get the best seat
away from "stinky" dedman

then stepping off the bus
and back into the world
of make believe
to play and play
and play

long ago days
a faint smile
at the distant memories
filed in the albums of our
mind

wishing once more
to have everything ahead
with no cares but to play
no bills, no taxes, no hurts
just innocence