Give Me It Back! Poem by Swarnapali Liyanage

Forbiddings bind me at age
Hope me to be ripe in discipline
My golden childhood beloved
was carefree realm, dawn of life
Flying a kite ran all over meadow
On granny's cuddly lap I listened tales
Hoping at gate dad's coming from work
Dreamed hugging a doll
while mom rocked me to sleep
I yearn those cherished memories back
No matter how much they cost
Behind church in a secret cave
shared our sweets among girls
Hid in attic from grandpa's cane
Gleaned fingerling at near by book
Plucked wild flowers for her vase
at backyard thicket with mom
Take my wealth and reputation all
Give me precious childhood back again