Bittersweet

Through the prism of distance

the past seemed awash in rainbow hues

the spectacles of adoration firmly on my nose

imparted it a golden glow

doused in nostalgia

I visited my childhood home

with a heart too overjoyed and buoyant

like a beauteous butterfly bobbing

I entered to the sound of giggles from the past

soothing images flitted by

like a camera on slow shutter speed

joyously I trailed fingers along the kitchen wall

to pull back in dismay and shock

finding traces of blood on them

I blinked hard to get rid of the image

but it was stuck between the eyelids like grit

bewildered and broken I entered my old room

to be comforted by the sight of my writing desk

only to be hit in the solar plexus

to see a younger-self cowering under the bed

echoes of harsh words followed me

as I ran down the steps

teetering on the edge of sanity

I locked the door with a heart weighed down with confusion

and heard faint whispers of tender words of love

suddenly I had the strangest epiphany

retracing steps to relive memories

may not always be a good idea.