I walked the path of yesterday
and stopped to count the tears.
I dragged up all the garbage
encountered through the years.

Half-buried among the ruins
I spied a faint sparkle;
and hoping for a treasure,
retrieved the tiny oracle.

Tell me good news, I pleaded with the bauble.
But it just looked back at me in silence.

A second look revealed to me
this thing I'd found was a key.

I held it with curiosity, trying to recall.
Oh yes, I remembered after all--
my diary from elementary years.

With wild abandon I tossed
insignificant accumulations to one side.
Until I found it lying nearby,
forgotten over years gone by.

The wonders of childhood came back to me.
For hours I sat in the attic, reliving the innocence.

Would I go back if I could?
No.
For I know what would come--
discouragement, heartache, loss.

Would I go on from here?
Yes.
For today I discovered the me I still can be.