A New Look at the Past

Remember when things mattered, when a spurt
Of liquid or of drama made us cry?
You made it feel as if every good-bye
Was full of promise, every speck of dirt
A new look at the past, a sweet dessert
Of plums and ice cream, licorice and pie.
Remember when you looked me in the eye
And said, "Forget the whole thing"? I was hurt.

Was everybody treated in this way?
Was every slight so necessary, then?
I thought I was the luckiest of men
Until I heard that curt remark. Delay,
My last bright hope, lent me a donkey's bray
When song was what I needed, like a wren.