Chosen Perspective

Sometimes I wish my childhood
Held memories of fun
But truthfully, when I look back
It makes me want to run

So much pain and sorrow there
So much fear, repressed
I dreamed of it last night, and now
This morning I’m depressed

Yet I’m ever the optimist;
Those scenes cannot control
My outlook on my life, my joy
My happiness - no, no!

And so I’ll look deeper into
The recess of my mind
And see what gold I can dig up,
What happiness I’ll find

There’s the day mom looked at me
With lips pressed like a fish
And trying not to laugh, pressed on
my cheeks a fishy-kiss

Or the night a bat flew in
My parents both freaked out!
Yet I laughed in peeling chimes
As it flew roundabout

There’s the knowledge that, though with
a lesson I found shame,
My mother held me tenderly
And loved me just the same

I remember digging once
To China, I was sure!
That was great! til dad told us
To go and fill the hole…

Then there was the gardening
Not weeding - what distaste!
But pulling things right from the vine
Their sweet juices to taste

Bike rides, camping, playing sports
Even solo pretend
They made my childhood memorable
The made the “lonely” end

It wouldn’t take much, not at all
To recall all the strife
But I choose to instead let go,
And see a happy life.