Dusty Box

polaroid pictures in 
a dusty
box

a childhood

when dirt was 
used as
salt for that 
grass and rock soup

-that was fun

stray dogs followed you
on the way to
wait for 
the school bus

-not so fun

the street was 
not paved yet and 
mud 
accompanied you
to school

-how embarrassing,
the only kid with
muddy shoes

when teachers were 
the only adults
that showed you
they cared

-didn't want to go home

it was a time
when fighting was a
daily ritual
but you
never got used to
it
that's why
you never invited
anyone over

-pretty sure friends knew

dusty box
with a few hand prints
remains closed

-no one must 
know about
the past