"Looking Back" by Sierra July, Frequent Contributor

Looking Back

Sierra July

For years he'd held on to

A child's book from his past

Cover cracked, pages yellowed and scribbled

It opened tired, with a sour breath,

His eyes misted as he looked, saw it new

Grandpa's wrinkled hands turning the pages

Fun adlibbed dialogue teasing his ears.

It's old and simple, far from the best but . . .

Once closed, the book rested

Back on his favorites shelf

Poet's Notes: How easily I could give my favorite song or book or movie as a teen, and how hard it is even to give a top ten now.  Sentimentality can play a part in favoritism, but that isn't a bad thing. My favorites are more numerous, flowery, and meaningful now, and I'm sure they'll keep changing, while old ones rest in my heart.