An ode to children

A return to innocence, that’s what we need,

Not big houses, or cars– the symbols of greed. 

As soon as we think we’ve figured it out,

Life shows us otherwise, for this there’s no doubt.

Above all, society values productivity,

Do more, be more, so the whole world can see.

Move! No time to stop and smell the roses.

No bother, they’ve been replaced by red hydrants and hoses.

Was it always this way?

The green pastures of youth were full of delight,

A future without fear, still hopeful and bright.

But eventually we learn to trade our innocence in,

“The world’s a hard place, only the toughest can win.”

So we give up imagination and hand in our toys,

“Grow up, be a man, no time to be boys.

The world’s full of problems that we all created.

It’s up to you to solve them, we’re all too jaded.”

Does progress always have to come at a cost?

Where once was a child, that innocence now lost.

The wondrous glow of our youth replaced by a screen,

Curiosity and joy turned dull and routine.

Fret not, for the truth is the child’s not gone,

Just buried by time, forgotten and alone.

Like a window pane that’s been layered in grime,

A little sprits and a shine, you’ll be cleaned up in no time.

What was covered up once can be uncovered once more,

The worry-filled man rekindles his flame to explore.

Full of wonder and awe, the wise give up fear in oblation,

For what is beauty but to see the creator in the creation? 

Perhaps children have it right, maybe our purpose is to play!

Innocence is seeing the world anew, each and every day. 

What happens after death, that’s not our tale to tell,

But how we live this day is— my only hope is you tell it well.