Before I Grew Up...

Before I grew up,
I was just like you.
I had many things that I wanted to do.
Each day was a gift.
Each moment a joy.
Each goal centered 'round the latest new toy.

I didn't know hatred,
Bigotry, or intolerance.
My little world was big enough for all of us.
I could sleep without trouble,
And was rarely concerned.
My, how I've grown and oh, what I've learned.

I've heard grown-ups say,
Many things that aren't nice,
And I've seen them lie - without thinking twice.
I have watched as they take,
Much more than they give -
(Thought they were supposed to show me how to live).

We all begin life the same,
Pure and new, without tarnish.
We believe and we trust,
We don't know how to varnish,
The truth at the start.
We don't fear to show feelings nor hide our true heart.

Before we grow up,
We are all the same.
But once we've lived and we've learned,
Oh, what a shame...
Because children are wise in their own special way.
They are who they are...and they mean what they say.

If we could just keep,
Our childlike ways;
Keep the excitement,
In all of our days,
This world would be such a much better place,
Filled with child-like wonder and child-like grace.


C.L.Hanna/2006
http://thehappypantry.com