My saccharine youth will hurt one day
bring forth cold tears that burn
my cheeks now lost in spots and lines
my heart aged with concern.

So delicate is this perfect time
afraid to see it go
I hold my breath as present turns
now past - a flake of snow.

My sunny days of youth melt fast
what if I can’t look back
Infected with nostalgia’s curse
I’m poisoned with the past.

And even if I dare to look
it will be through some lense
so warped and cracked, redacted past
an act of self defence.

The water b’neath me brings me close
this chapter’s near its time
I’ll slowly breathe and carefully watch
the life I love pass by.