sand castles and searching for seashells
scraping knuckles against stones,
swinging on creaky chipped bars
my twin covered in matching calluses,
my childhood my youth
we will meet again.

sand dunes and metal hunting,
my friend's fingers interlocked with mine
submerged under the grains.
course and sharp and dry
searching for pirate treasure,
my childhood my youth
we will meet again.

splitting candy and rolling down hills,
feeding mud pies baked with mulberries,
grass stains and bees buzzing
oh neon lensed life,
my childhood my youth
we will meet again.

but when?

lyinging at night, isolation's blanket covers me
when i stop and remember
my childhood my youth.

the scent of the memories fade from my nose.
the touch and sensation leave my fingertips.
the sound of their voice get lost in my ears.
their names elude my tongue.
their faces become a blur.

oh but sweet youth,
don’t fret, don’t cry
just know,
despite the hourglass’s sand clouding my brain
my heart shan’t forget—
the joy, the sorrow, the disgust, the pain, and the love i felt
over these years.

i’ll never forget you, i promise.

my childhood my youth,
we will meet once again,
that’s my promise.

whether it be now
or at death’s sandbox.