What A Heavy Suitcase, Childhood

What a heavy suitcase 

childhood is.

Packed for us by others 

Far too casually

For such a chancy expedition.

Crammed between the fantasies,

So many cumbersome conceits,

Obsessions, qualms that

Weigh down every choice,

Every wish, every day.

When can we unpack those

Early selves, fold

Them neatly in a drawer

And walk away? 




 Copyright (c) 2012 Ellen McCarthy. All rights reserved.