“The easiest thing
In the world to be is young.”
That’s what Grandpa said.

When my sons treat me
Like I treated my father,
It will break my heart.

Twelve-year-olds close doors
And lock themselves in for good.

Baby pictures, walls,
A dream you don’t remember.
You’re just passing through.

Robb Lanum is a failed screenwriter in Los Angeles. His longer, epic works have appeared on 101words.org, and he was a winner of the Summer 2020 Los Angeles Public Library Short Story Contest.