# In Search of Childhood #

This poem reflects on aging and the desire to reconnect with childhood innocence. It considers the heaviness of responsibilities, the hurt of lost connections, and memories that linger.

Instead of wanting to relive the past, the speaker aims to find the childlike wonder, hope, and purity that adulthood often hides. It gently reminds us that beneath adult burdens,

“In Search of Childhood

As the evening settles
beneath a fading sky,
I close my eyes
and wander back.

Not to a place,
but to a feeling.

A time when laughter
came without effort,
when tears dried quickly,
and tomorrow was never a worry.

Life has filled my hands
with responsibilities,
my heart with memories,
and my eyes with quiet storms.

Some people stayed only long enough
to become beautiful regrets.

Some promises
were never meant to last.

Yet every now and then,
my dreams open a forgotten door,
and I hear the echoes
of a child who once believed
the world would always be kind.

So I sit with the silence,
not trying to change the past,
only hoping to find
the innocent soul I left behind.

Yes,
I am still searching…
for the wonder
of a forgotten child.

(Vijay Verma).
www.retiredkalam.com



Categories: kavita

Tags: , , , , , ,

24 replies

  1. Beautiful words Vijay. The ache of yesterday and remembering memories.🌿🍂

    Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you so much for your kind words. 🌿 They truly mean a lot to me. I believe yesterday never really leaves us—it quietly lives on in our memories, shaping who we become. Sometimes revisiting those moments is not about holding on to the past, but about rediscovering the innocence and hope we once carried within us.

      I’m so glad the poem resonated with you. Thank you for reading and for sharing your thoughtful reflection. 🙏

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Way to go Vijay, I really love your thoughts.🥰

    Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you so much! 🥰
      Your kind encouragement truly means a lot to me. I simply try to give words to the emotions and experiences we all carry within us.

      Knowing that my thoughts resonate with you is the greatest reward. Thank you for your constant support and kindness. Wishing you joy and inspiration always! 🌿🙏

      Liked by 2 people

  3. very nice .

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Your poem captures the feeling of lost youth very well. We all have times and memories that we like to harken back to, a time that may have brought us peace, comfort or happiness. Sometimes these memories are accurate, sometimes, time has embellished them to make them seem better. Either way, getting our minds out of the worries of the world is worth the trip. Happy weekend. Allan

    Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you, Allan. You’ve expressed that so beautifully. I agree that memory often softens the rough edges of the past, allowing us to hold on to the warmth rather than the pain. Whether those moments are exactly as they happened or gently polished by time, they offer us a brief refuge from life’s burdens.

      Sometimes, looking back isn’t about escaping the present—it’s about reconnecting with the hope and peace that still live within us.

      Liked by 2 people

  5. Two phrases stuck out to me “beautiful regrets” and “forgotten child.” Aging comes with many struggles, and sometimes those past moments feel hard to let go of.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you so much for your thoughtful reading.

      Those two phrases carry a special meaning for me as well. “Beautiful regrets” remind us of people and moments that shaped our lives, while the “forgotten child” symbolizes the innocence and wonder we often lose as we grow older.

      Aging certainly brings its struggles, but I believe those cherished memories also remind us of who we truly are. I’m grateful the poem resonated with you. 🙏🌿

      Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you so much for your kind words. 🙏😊

      I’m truly happy that the poem touched your heart. Childhood is a treasure we carry within us, and I hoped the poem would bring back some of those precious memories and innocent joys. Your appreciation means a great deal to me.

      Liked by 2 people

  6. Thank you for this wonderful poem, Vijay. The Bible says that we must have the faith of a child. Children are such special gifts. They should be raised with a great amount of love and understanding.
    Thanks again, Vijay!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words.
      They truly touched my heart. I love your reflection about having the faith of a child—it reminds us of the innocence, trust, and hope that life often asks us to preserve.

      I couldn’t agree more that children are precious gifts, deserving to be nurtured with love, patience, and understanding. Thank you again for reading my poem and for sharing such a beautiful perspective. Wishing you many blessings. 🙏🌿

      Liked by 2 people

      • You’re very welcome, Vijay. I love kids. I guess that’s why I became a school teacher. They are pretty amazing, each with their own gifts. I always appreciate someone expressing the same feelings I have for children.
        Thank you again and I hope you have a great day.

        Liked by 2 people

        • Thank you so much for your lovely message. It doesn’t surprise me at all that you became a school teacher—your warmth and affection for children shine through your words.

          I truly believe that teachers who genuinely love children leave a lasting mark on their lives, often in ways they may never fully realize. Every child is indeed unique, blessed with different talents and a world of possibilities waiting to unfold.

          Liked by 2 people

          • Thank you for your kind words, Vijay! It is amazing how former students from 30 years back still remember me. I remember them too and still pray for them. If teachers use a bit of creativity, they can make the learning experience a joy instead of drudgery. It takes extra time to come up with creative ideas to help them but it is well worth it in the long run.
            My son is now teaching high school and he is using creative methods and he has been well received.

            Liked by 2 people

            • Thank you so much for sharing this. It truly warmed my heart.

              The fact that your students still remember you after thirty years is perhaps the greatest tribute any teacher could receive. It speaks not only of the lessons you taught, but of the kindness, patience, and encouragement you gave them. Facts may fade over time, but a teacher who inspires is never forgotten.

              Liked by 2 people

              • I appreciate this comment, Vijay. I am very fortunate to have had a lot of good students. It is by the grace of God that I may have encouraged any of them but I am thankful that many of them have me as their Facebook “friend.”

                Like

  7. This touched my heart. I love that it isn’t about wishing to be young again, but about searching for the wonder and innocence we quietly lose along the way.

    “Not to a place, but to a feeling.” That line drew me in, and the ending stayed with me. I think many of us are still looking for that forgotten child within ourselves we just don’t always have the words to say it.

    A gentle, beautiful piece Verma ji❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you so much for your beautiful and heartfelt reflection. ❤️

      Your words touched me deeply because you understood exactly what I was trying to express. The poem was never about longing to return to childhood in years, but about rediscovering the wonder, innocence, and quiet joy that adulthood so often buries beneath responsibilities and life’s many burdens.

      Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment