The days were younger, brighter then

back when we were only ten

we held hands as we explored the woods

and giggled the way only children could

whispered secrets over paperback books

fairytales floated above our private nook

oversized overalls and plaid little socks

our buried treasures hidden deep in a box

we shoveled up dirt and tucked it into the ground

waiting for the day that it'd be found

until yesterday, when I finally came back

and you had packed up and left my heart filled with cracks

I dug deep into the earth and uncovered our riches

ratty old books and shirts covered in stitches

a single dirty shoelace and a handwritten note

the tears spilled over as I read what we wrote:

"For whoever finds this is lucky indeed

to have unearthed such treasures as these

a girl and a boy, and a gift for you

we hope you will come to love what we love, too"

and I remember the days when they were much brighter

for now they are cold and my heart grows tighter

as I think of the little boy and the girl in the woods

and I know I'd go back... if only I could.

~C.L.