My Kingdom

Childhood

Running

across the freshly cut lawn

on a hot summer day

I spotted a castle

not made of

brick

or stone

but a castle made of

cloth

and air

and powered

by the playful giggle

of the children

and the jewels

of adults.

This castle was no ordinary

castle.

It didn't symbolize power,

monarchy,

tyranny,

or hierarchy.

There was no king or queen.

It was a temporary

dedication

to the freedom of youth

that would be deflated

at the last goodbye.

I gathered my army

and we rallied to the gate.

The soft black netting

keeping us safe

(from growing up)

as we entered.

I took off my muddy tennis shoes

and my cronies

followed suit.

Dressed in playful armor

we entered the gate.

With the army in formation

it was time to be "at ease."

We were free.

Jumping

Leaping

Flipping

Falling

Free

It was a festival

that the Kingdom of Youth

celebrated once again.

When we were able

to jump without

falling

To leap without

limits

To flip without

fear

To fall without

breaking.

As the night charged at

our tiny castle,

we continued:

naïve

and

defenseless.

The real rulers

put our festival

to an end.

I sat in the corner

of my inflated castle

until my mother scolded

me.

I did not want to leave

my safe place.

My father unplugged my castle

and the life escaped out of it

and out of me.

I will never be

this

     young

     or

     free.