I stretch the map of my childhood

it veils the years since the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and now 50’s

taut scrim overlaying there my mother

me I have gone there and we are not enmeshed in history one

indistinguishable from the other in too many way

yet my father too runs through the fibers

like cotton floss misting my days of discovery and exploration so that

my eyes see from here through to the efforts of handheld play in work

40 years have gone since the final days of a life defined as childhood

the decade plus three held there, swept smooth of wrinkles blanketing these decades gone on in if not gratitude then maybe at least

peace now

I feel nothing but the warmth of acceptance

this is the life I dreamt