Lost & Found, a poem

I found it
Lying in long grass
Weathered, rusted
Soil encrusted
Details forgotten

I’d lost it
Years ago
Not paying attention
Too busy, conflicted
Racing ahead
Addict to the new

I picked it up
Dusted the dirt
From its pitted surface
Sighed at the sight
Of childhood’s lost light
Dimmed by tribulation

I tried it on
Just barely fit
Could stand losing
The new hypocrisies
Padding my waist
And the flab
Of justification

I held tight
Like Mom used to
Felt right to do
I’d missed this
Without knowing
The missing exists
 
I brought it home
Put it carefully away
I can cherish
The childhood
But can’t be the child
Every day

Poetry by Harakhte/Pic Unknown