Children at play (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Things of Childhood
Like Paul, when growing older, I
Put childish things away.
There is a time for adult’s world,
For work and little play.
The blank slate of a baby’s mind
Was filled by sights and sounds,
Like colored notes cast lavishly,
Seeds sown on fertile grounds.
The bottles, rattles, and the blocks
Gave way to older toys.
Then soldiers, trucks, and baby dolls
Came, left all girls and boys.
My childhood innocence was lost
As world revealed its guile,
Reality beneath the mask:
It hid a serpent smile.
My youthful gangly limbs then grew
To manhood’s branch and trunk;
A hairy harvest and I shaved
My voice an octave sunk.
Through many changes, I have come;
A few things still remain.
Wise adults choose which things still do,
From which ones to abstain.
Like Paul, when growing older, I
Put childish things away;
But childlike curiosity
And wonder’s here to stay.
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© Dennis Lange and thebardonthehill.wordpress.com, 2012.
Lovely words
Really good, Dennis. And the imagery in the stanza where you describe the change physically from boy to man is especially vivid. The theme reminds me so much of a poem I wrote last winter called “Snowchild.” I’m going to include the link to it here because I think you’ll enjoy the similarities as well. http://sandraconner.wordpress.com/poetry/
(The link is to the page on my site that has several of my original poems, but “Snowchild” is about the 4th poem from the top.)
Also, if you have no objection, I’m going to re-blog your poem “Fog Weeps” as part of a new article I’m posting on my “Hangin’ Out With God” site in a couple of days. I think you’ll get a ping back to let you know about it, but I’m never quite sure how all this super-sophisticated technology with the weird-sounding names really works. So I’ll also let you know when it’s up.
I enjoyed your poem! And there are some similarities. I’ll go back when I’ve got a little more time and read the others as well. No objection at all on re-blogging “Fog Weeps”.
Melodic, alternating tetrameter-trimeter rhythm, for seven stanzas (curios & wonderful 4+3=7); resolving to retain curiosity & wonder from childhood; neatly organized poem; another terrific job by the Bard on the Hill…
Thanks. So glad you enjoyed and I always appreciate your comments.
Excellent poem! beautifully written!
Thanks! May we all cling to the right childlike things and give up the rest.
Very good poem Dennis and don’t lose that childhood wonder, It’ll keep you young, or so I’m told
Thanks and I hope so because I haven’t lost it. That’s what spurred me to write the poem.
An enjoyable, well written poem, Dennis. Thanks for sharing. The child remains within, happy or sad.