On the highest shelf,
Pristine beneath layers of thick dust,
Absent from the eyes and lost in the mind
Gently worn, to the point of comfort
Sits my favorite teddy bear.
He waits to be embraced again,
For the dust to be swept away
And my eyes to light up --
But he sits higher than I can reach
My arms and legs still shrunken and small
Unable to brush fingertips across fur...
Unable to claim a memory
Only half forgotten,
Distant in vision but clear in the mind --
Soft and patient; unconditional
Awaiting my attention.