A Prize in Every Box
Popcorn in the cupboard prompts
a cascade of childhood memories—
the boxes of ‘Cracker Jack’; once-a-
week-treats, with a treasure in every box.
Sunday brunch at The Owl’s Nest,
dressing in fine clothes, carrying
a purse with a gold strap and wearing
freshly polished Buster Brown shoes.
Acting like a grown-up until the server
invites me to check out the hidden
treasure box filled with trinkets and toys
and I don my childhood antics, once again.
The wonder and joy of not knowing
what one will find on opening the lid.
Though the clock now ticks time away,
maybe we all need to pause: to be
curious again, to be surprised—
to look for buried treasure.
I love how you take us back to your childhood. The line “to look for buried treasure” is beautiful.
Thanks, Renee! I loved how the prompt of food in the cupboard made me think of things I had forgotten (like Cracker Jacks and the treasure chest at the restaurant). I had fun with this one and hope to rekindle that joy in myself and others.
The nostalgia here is palpable and immersive, and where it leads at the end of the poem, surprises and delights.
Thank you, Caitlin!
This prompt was great fun and it immediately brought these memories to the surface.
my smile immediate when the prize was mentioned. this was one of my favorites!!
Thank you for you kind message! I am so glad you liked this poem. I enjoyed the prompt.
Wonderful the varied boxes we’re invited to peer into with you here. I joyed in your child-self re-visiting them. Thank you!
Thank you for this message, too! I had fun reliving peering into these boxes!
Love the nostalgia in this poem, well done! “Though the clock now ticks time away,/maybe we all need to pause: to be/curious again, to be surprised—/
to look for buried treasure.” So beautiful and so true 🙂
Thank you, Maxine! I do hope we can find our way back to seeing the world through the eyes of children, as it is full of joy and wonder!
Ahhh, a very satisfying poem. You tapped into some powerful stuff here – very personal, yet universal. The short stanzas and the cadence really make this a fun read. Nicely done.
Thanks again, Mark! I loved this year’s prompts – they took me to fun and sometimes emotionally tough places. This one was definitely a nostalgic look back at my younger years… Oh, where have they gone?!