I Long For

I long for a time When skinned knees were my biggest problem When my most debilitating fear was an imaginary monster under my bed I long for a time when daddy was my hero, knew everything, and could protect me from anything I long for a time when being sad was dramatic and bittersweet... as if playing a character in a book. I long for a time when friendship took precedence over almost anything else... When, in innocent delight, we played at romance and relationships, school yard crushes so full of emotion And angst. I long for a time When summer meant freedom and lasted an eternity. Politics were out of our realm of understanding and responsibility. Debt and bills were grown up words, Adults spoke in code about death, disease, and other distressing truths, which were not for our sensitive ears. Coolaide mustaches, play grounds, Saturday morning cartoons (we had to blast to hear over the lawn mower sounds all over the neighborhood) Penny candy, captain crunch, Ronald Mcdonald and the Hamburgler, sore muscles from bike riding all weekend, sleep overs and frozen training bras, Judy Bloom, The karate kid , and Marty Mcfly, the Never ending Story and ET, Madonna, The New Kids on the Block, (Danny,Donnie, Joe, John, Jordan) and Dirty Dancing, Just Say No! I long for those simple days and for youth.