Inner Child

It's unclear when it happened,
the passing of youth.
But suddenly I knew,
and it held onto me like a truth.

My realization struck,
cutting through like a diamond blade.
I found my younger self,
hidden deep like an ocean's shade.

Adolescent Joe,
forever my inner child.
A shadow that speaks in silence,
waiting patiently, yet wild.

But today he found his freedom,
I saw it in Ryleigh and Stella.
Optimism blooming like flowers,
each morning kissed with dew