Questions for the Inner Child

Author's Note: This poem is born out of some therapy that I did this past month where we visualized our "inner child" in its natural environment. Unsurprisingly, my "inner child" was, to my mind's eye, surrounded by the verdant greens and summer hues of suburban Richmond, Virginia. I encourage you to check out one of my more recent blog posts to get a sense of how I relate to the natural world, and in the meantime, enjoy my latest work, taking the form of a series of questions to this metaphorical young one within. In case you're wondering, this conversation goes back in time, starting from my more recent memories and ending from a time quite a long time ago, in my estimation.

Oh child, why wander?
Why doubt the intentions of your Creator?
Why suffer under the yoke of your own words?
Did you forget the cool breeze outside,
The warmth in her eyes,
And the laughs shared at that place down the street?
Did you forget the stories you used to tell
To pass the time with your friends,
Trolling for attention, and getting it?
Did you forget the nights
You would spend playing Weezer and
The Strokes, all together with the band?
Did you forget those long days outside
Spent playing as imaginary knights,
Fighting for what was true, just, and right?
Did you forget the smell of piñon wood
Burning in the fireplace, the whole
House radiant and warm?
No, you have not forgotten.
You remember.
You remember it all; I can see it in your eyes.