If The Child That Lives In You

 

 

If The Child That Lives In You

The child that lives in you returns,
demanding red, shiny things,
you have been tagged.
You are it, so throw
your tee shirts in a bag,
ready yourself for sleepovers,
place all conservative shoes
back in the closet.
Cowardly melancholy is in a decline.
Invincible youth is back, just in time
for the river race that flows
through your stiffened toes
and the cradle will rock
but the bough will not break.
This child has a thumb out,
and moves fast.

 

Reviews

[W.k.kortas]

I do not, as one prior review noted, see this as a retrospective on childhood at all, but more of a cautionary tale for our adulthood in that we need to be careful and quick to embrace that child-like part of us that keeps up interesting and prevents us from becoming entirely dowdy and boring--thus the "conservative shoes" and the corpse-like "stiffened toes". The child does indeed, move fast, and when someone this wise and talented gives advice, it is best to pay heed.

[Jibey]

Interesting idea - I don't think I ever lost my childishness - and in many ways I am glad

[Doctor JKC]

The child is the center of all creativity.
Then all sexuality.
Jack

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

That was truly delightful... I think we all need to keep in touch with the inner child... who made the rule that you can't be a little carefree when your an adult.

[deeps]

Now this is so wonderful. I like this alot. Very well written.

[Charles]

Bravo. One of the best retrospectives on childhood that I've seen. Personally, I'd put a periood after 'stiffened toes' and start a new sentence with 'the cradle' (omitting the 'and'). This would keep pace with the rest of the poem that sort of seems to be hurrying along (as childhood does) - the 'and' and 'but' phrases in the same sentence seem a bit much and slows down the reading. I particularly like the last two lines as an ending. Good work!

[Emily B]

me, too

me, too

I want to go outside and play :)

[Ed Hart]

I knew the poetry of yesterday would quickly pass...and look what came with this brave new dawn...