Innocence

Tiny hands clenched tight

Not wanting to release it

for releasing it

is releasing your childhood

flying balls of multiple colors

that hold children’s memories

The joyous memories of zoos

The memories of circuses

the happy memories

that adults forget have ever happened

This little kid

doesn’t want to let go

of his red balloon

because he knows

he knows he’ll forget

this day when he has

reached the end of his life

Maybe he’ll remember then

perhaps letting go

isn’t the worst thing in the world

perhaps if he lets go

he’ll learn to be strong

and not rely on others

he’ll become a man

no longer a child

but just because he becomes a man

doesn’t mean he can’t

have the memories of childhood