There are aisles
Dark in my mind
Where the days of joy
Stay remembered
Kept alone on shelves
Going dormant
As tomorrow
Feels tired again

Like that unknown gift
Left behind
From a Christmas
Long since forgotten
When adventure ruled
Every plaything
By their promise
Made possible then

Through daring feats
Over stairs
Atop bannisters
Climbing while ready
For one more scene
Needing danger
Along carpeted floors
Soon our stage

But become so real
For such time
Until jungles fade
Without notice
Letting innocence slip
Never knowing
Slowly withering
Watching us grow

Wishing simple games
Were enough
To imagine dreams
Still heroic
Letting failure haunt
Bitter futures
Missing plastic
Easily scuffed

How childhood hurts
If ignored
Having nightmares
Waking up jaded
Walking empty stores
Seeking figures
Now pretending
Life doesn’t suck.

• J. Pigno