Holding On

If only we could all be

like the children

we once were

before we were pushed

into a harsh reality

by selfish adults.

Our laughter and openness

smothered by discipline,

verbal hands

covering our mouths.

We gathered our moments

gratefully — bits of starlight,

deep woods quiet, wild violets

and jonquils in Spring. We held them

close, like talismans for the future.

We held on until we didn’t have to.

*

Bonus prompt via The Wombwell Rainbow

Art by Kerfe Roig

So I missed the last two days of NaPoWriMo. I’m sad but it couldn’t be helped. I had my last COVID-19 vaccination on Wednesday and was rather sick for 48 hours after. All I wanted was to sleep or try to sleep. But I’m all better now and when I saw the bonus prompt I decided to jump in. My poem is on the sad side but…