At a Christmas party.

A child, four years old, 

came up to me and told me she was a fairie.

I smiled, but was unable to outshine

her gap toothed little grin;

or the makeshift magic wand

that told the truth of her words;

as did the little pink tutu she wore

and the dance she danced for me.

In any case, who was I to tell her different?

I mean, why not be a fairie

if only just the once,

before grown up matters,

like choosing a best friend

and learning times tables

weigh heavy on 

neophyte shoulders.

Drink flowed

amiable chat meandered

and meantime, the child danced,

mimicking the style of grown up leisure;

so happy in the reflected light,

where no mistletoe, and no champagne

could make her less a child,

or make her magic burn more bright.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i like how you juxtapose the child with the grownups which shows the innocence and truthfulness we have at such a young age, but later when we become less a child...we could lose that ability to dance...or hopefully let the dance mature.
nicely done,
j.

[Terpsichore]

This is such a perfect capture, there is no doubt in my mind it is based on a true event. Your descriptive powers are superb, allowed me to see through your eyes, that gap toothed little grin, the child dancing, 'mimicking the style of grown up leisure' (a line to die for.)

Wonderful writing Beccy.

T.

[Hayley]

This has some very cute imagery, especially given the magical Christmastime setting. I'm just a college student, I can't say much about adult life (thankfully!) but I do volunteer work with kindergartners and am blown away by how much imagination they have. I've been writing genre fiction for years, so I've still got good amounts of imagination myself, but it's always a little sad coming back to the adult world and seeing everyone all stressed out and focused on the future when, just fifteen minutes away, little kids are drawing werewolves and sea monsters.

[andrew mitchell]

If only we all had that secret garden to go to from time to time or Narnia or a dream that is our own Alice in wonderland. You can see it though child’s eyes such innocence and mimics trying to find out who they want to be . Nice write Beccy

[Shep]

No one says we have to grow up look me I am still not ready to grow up. not yet anyway. I still believe in fairies and fairytales. I loved your poem as sifted through the memory as a child.

[Norman 223]

The world of a child never ceases to amaze me. We have a number of very young children in our immediate area, which is a cul-de-sac , who will intrigue us with their imaginative games and stories. We even had a group who used to perform their own "street pantomime" and we would reward them with fruit and sweets.
Encourage them , I say, It's good for their development and our enlightenment, as your poem illustrates.

Norman

[barleygirl]

This could be ANY party with children & adults. I've always preferred sitting at the kid's table for exactly this reason. What you describe is one beautifully representative anecdote as to how children can shake us out of our doldrums. You've painted this scene with vivid imagery & poignant feelings & I love the details you choose to pump up your message (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Gee]

Oh to be a kid again, carefree, happy, blissfully ignorant to the trials and tribulations that later life will undoubtedly bring to their door.
You paint a joyful scene Beccy.
Hope you are both well.

[Neville]

Now that is what I call magic.... any time of day or year will do........ N x

[kentuck14]

Oh, the imagination of children. One of my daughters as a small child loved to play at being a teacher, instructing her students as she stared at the wall just 3 ft. in front of her. I stood in the doorway watching, but she never missed a beat.
Wonderful Christmas poem!
Tom

[Beccy]

Something quite magical about a child lost in their own world of imagination.