If Only We Could

If we could go back to the days
forgotten, when for long we played
in stonework castles slumbering
in their hilly beds.

If we could remove our late clothes
and don the rags from yesterday,
the rags which were to us alone
twined in blazing gold.

If we could forsake our concerns,
invalid and petty and slight,
and return to the fair years where
you and I were free.

If we could fall asleep tonight
in some turned over dumpster bin
and close our eyes tight as we can,
may we never wake?

Or rather rise in the morning
by the sliver thread of river
that strayed along the naked vale
when we were younger.

To race amongst the gnarled trees
again and to laugh as they watched
us run in the tall spindly grass
and stop. Catch our breath.
 
The Sun stood still atop our heads
of unkempt hair and tawny feet
we bathed in his pulsating heat
and drenched our faces.

At night we lay under the stars
and wasted Time like he was ours
and loosed the tethers of our dreams
to let them wander.

 

And I was the princess, and you,
you were the knight in shining mail
that rode his alabaster horse
and saved the girl's life.

With feather pen and hour glass
and crown and rose and alien sky
with sword and blood not vainly shed
that world was for us.

We climbed the ancient boulders high
and feigned we were adventurers
and scampered 'round in children's games
of hide-and-go-seek.

Our bellies ached from laughing much

Our cheeks were flushed with country air

Our hands were muddied from digging

for buried treasure.

 

Now our bellies ache from hunger

And our cheeks are flushed with hard toil

And now our hands are muddied from

digging our own graves.

 

If we could go back to the days
forgotten, when for long we played
in stonework castles slumbering
in their hilly beds.

Reviews

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Imagery and perfect concet is regailing for the readers, a well written piece, as for a title, I would never be so bold as to suggest one!

[Tai Ryens]

What a truly beautiful poem about reminiscing and imagining the past you have had with a certain someone special. This brought a really warm feeling to me in my heart; which is a rare feeling for me to feel given the current state of darkness my mind lays. All the details are verbalized so simple but imagined so intricately.
What a very well-written poem. To my library it goes ~

[...]

I personally like both choices for the title! I couldn't decide either :) I can't tell you how much I loved this poem. The innocence of it was so warm and enchanting. I loved all the detail you put into the environment, it made it come to life. Very well written. I enjoyed it very much!