Thank you for contacting the department of human remains.

Your request has been received.

Please allow
three to five business days
  to process.

***

ORDER STATUS:

One (1) first love — delayed.

One (1) father-shaped absence — shipped
to the wrong address.

Four (4) summers — delivered,
but unfortunately damaged.

One (1) body — currently unavailable.

***

We regret to inform you
that your childhood
cannot be returned.

Although we understand
that it appeared
to be defective,

our records indicate
that you used it
exactly as intended.

You climbed things.

You believed adults.

You swallowed the blue chalk
because someone told you
it would turn your tongue
into a sky.

You were not supposed
to know better.

***

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Can I exchange my memories
for newer ones?

A: No.

Q: What if they hurt?

A: Memories are not covered
under our warranty.

Q: What if I don't remember
something important?

A: This is considered
a normal feature.

Q: Can I speak to a human?

A: You are speaking to one.

***

We apologize
for the inconvenience.

We apologize
for the inconvenience.

Please stop saying sorry.

Please stop saying sorry.

Please—

***

UPDATE:

Your missing childhood
has been located.

It was found
in the back of a kitchen drawer,
between a dead battery
and a photograph
you don't remember taking.

In the photograph,
you are laughing.

Not performing it.

Not practicing it.

Actually laughing.

Your face is unguarded.

Your mouth is open.

You look,
for once,
like nobody has explained
what you are supposed to become.

We have enclosed
the photograph
at no additional charge.

Please keep it.

There are some things
our department
cannot replace.