Charms of Childhood

Gently in my hand it lays,
the bitter taste of polish
sparkling silver with glimmers of colour
trying to escape.
Running my fingers along it,
I feel the small indents that make it look so perfect.
The shiver down my spine as the cold silver
presses against my wrist

The rusty clasp
reminding me of grandma,
still flexible but stiff in joints
still faintly sparkling with light
like the sun slowly setting into a cold winter’s night

The slow creak opening my childhood.
Each unique charm a gift from treasured people of my life:
my first pony, my first soccer ball, my first name.
All those special years of childhood remembered…
Cradled in a box lined with velvet, safe and secure.