Reminiscence

how unexpectedly 
wonderful 
they sneak upon us 
these childhood memories 
the stubborn stains 
of peanut butter and jelly 
smeared 
by clumsy hands 
on the delicate fabric 
of time itself 
a cherished first kiss 
coated 
with a fuzzy glow 
of innocence 
overwhelm my senses 
with 
blissful madness 
like sticky-toffee pudding 
licked from a bowl 
through the minds eye 
spring cleaned, 
now and then 
and as the world 
goes by, 
let me revel 
in luscious blossoms 
of purity 
this sacred kingdom 
of hopscotch, double-dutch 
and quietly, drift off 
in the distance 
as nothing but 
a smile 
remains…

Peanut butter and Jelly