Battle of the ages

A child skipped below an umbrella,
         the joy of youth insulated beneath
an innocent weapon
                 fighting back an inclement future.

Inspired, though not inspiring,
        I longed for such a battering ram
to bludgeon the plaintive
                skeptic buried beneath the years.

I tinkered with my cynicism, flirting
         with the optimism of youth, hoping
I might change
                 or at least feint near —

Instead, though, I creep back to sleep.
I lack the energy for that particular battle.

---

(c) 2019 by Phillip Knight Scott

Combo response to several prompts this weekend:

The one word challenge at Fandango : "cynicism"
Weekend writing prompt #119 : "Tinker" & exactly 75 words.
Word of the Day Challenge : "flirt"
Ragtag Daily Prompt : "plaintive"