The Innocence of a child

I saw this happen

the other day

in a supermarket.

A sweet child

barely say

5 yrs of age,

in the store.

Shouting to her mother

she was going to get her

a carton of milk.

She needs her shopping.

Off she trots to get it.

Full of happiness and joy.

Bringing it back with

such glee and eagerness.

And saying to her mother

here is your milk?

As the mother says Thankyou.

And the little girl shouting out loud.

your very welcome mummy.

And then off,

she runs to get some

bread from a shelve

close by

shouting again.

I am away to get some bread for

your mum.

Thank you, sweetheart.

Says Mum again.

I thought may so adorably sweet

and wholesome.

So eager to please,

innocence and such

charmingly pure kindness

and helpfulness.

Then we grow up

into adults and

lose that innocence

and sweetness

of the world

in general

and that is

so sad to me.

As we should all

have that innocence

and sweetness,

about us all.

Through our life.

Soppy but true.

In my perspective of life.

As when you grow up

reality and life is far

from both sweet or

innocent.

Long may it last for

children to grow up with

both Innocence and sweetness.

Reviews

[Moonie]

When I was a kid, I always felt too precocious for my age, and wanted to grow up as soon as possible. I thought Peter Pan was a stupid character, but now that I'm a grown up, I understand its appeal. Good observational skills, Dawn...made me picture the innocent child quite vividly.

[Anjeline]

It's really a sweet and at the same time deep piece of writing. It left me thinking of both my childhood and present me. Really thoughtful piece:)

[Onlyme]

Thank you Anjeline.

[Anjeline]

You're welcome :)

[Great Aunt Astri]

This is quite a clever poem. As the onlooker you observe an event and then relate it the universal truth ... that we grow up and lose our sweetness and innocence. Is there any relevance in the structure of the poem? Somehow the un-formality and different length verses seem to add to the 'disharmony' that the young are headed for. Well done for writing this poem.

[Margie F]

I believe I still am capable of this same sweetness and innocence. Of course, the person I would want to do it for would probably love me in a different way than a parent now. I would still go get the milk and bread for my mom, but I don't think she would feel the same way she did when I was kid doing it for her. Maybe what is lost isn't always on the child's side. Maybe it is the way we view them as they become adults, and THAT is equally as sad. I agree with jacob...so glad kidnapping wasn't involved. :)

[Tate Morgan]

Would that we could keep our child alive inside us. I see it in my grand children all the time they called me almost daily just to chat. These are the fields that we need to water and tanned so that they may grow up to be good adults

[Pete]

sad but true. such a tragedy what life can do to us if we let it. unselfish and wanting to help. very relatable. let us all strive to regain our innocence that was stolen from us. good stuff Dawn ... :)

[Onlyme]

Thank you, Pete. :)

[Robert Trakofler]

I love your observational movement in this writing, dear dawn. The fact that you still see these moments and are keenly aware of them tells me you still have a bit of that innocent child still buzzing around in the back of your head. I was gonna say the challenge is to keep that child alive inside of us as "adults" giving this to yourself leaves a world of understanding before your feet. when you can still have the ability to open your eyes and heart to the new.... but i digress you don't need that advice :)

[Onlyme]

Thanks Bad bunny, we all need to hold onto that part of innocence this world is far to destructive and vile at times. Due to the humans on it. We need more compassion, love and understatement let alone the innocence we once had when a child. But lost as we had grown up. hugs Dawn.

[R.E. Ray]

Dawn, your story and poem reminds of a Ralph Waldo Emerson line, something like... "Cannot we let (children) be themselves, and enjoy life in their own way? You are trying to make another you. One's enough." It seems if we acknowledged this point we might raise better children. Thank you for your story and the lesson within.

[Onlyme]

Thank you, R.E. Ray, our children are our future. And this future is bleak at most times. But to take the innocence from a child far to so is vile and evil. Best wishes. Dawn.

[Ayvid N]

I love your feelings and observations here Dawn. You’ve done justice to the angelic form of beings that children are. Reading this poem, I’m grateful I never let go of that child in me, trusting and clear of heart and I’m sure you haven’t either...thank you for such an insightful poem.

[Dave]

Dawn each time I see a commercial with a mother or father holding a baby I think of when mine were that small. I believe the first poem I wrote "Children", which is posted here, spoke to this. They grow up soooooo quickly. Of course they lose some of their innocence, but if they are loved, they never forget their loving. Millie and I are very fortunate to have found this to be true.

Take care - Dave