In Memoriam – rest in peace, Pee Wee.

There’s a place
For permanent youth
Once adorned
In beautiful colors,

Where hidden shelves
Feature trinkets
Showing toys
Have lives of their own

And neon lights
Brightly flash
As those faces beam
From enjoyment

When visitors come
Now accepted
Just to play yet again
Here with you –

That heaven
On Saturday morn
Every kid grew up
Always wishing

Was actually real
Never knowing
Such innocence
Made it much more,

Like each cartoon
Garnering faith
Letting puppets instill
Better morals

Than adulthood’s gaze
Merely judging
What jadedness
Hardly perceives.

Long ago
This fantasy thrived
But today
Our childhoods ended,

Hearing you’re gone
While admitting
Some memories
Cannot repeat –

Hoping legacies
Last beyond dolls
Or public shame
So ridiculous,

Since happiness
Screams over errors
Like secret words
Still enjoyed.

• J. Pigno