Untitled

 

Children fascinate me 

With the way, they laugh at everything 

The games they play with nothing 

How their eyes light up and sparkle 

So pure 

Untouched by the trials and tribulations of life 

I look at them with envy 

Wishing I could go back 

Back to Barbie dolls 

To the land of imagination 

To wonder of playtime 

Feeling all the excitement for the first time 

New and thrilling 

But at the same time, I hurt for them 

I look at their eyes shining with hope and happiness 

And I worry that one day they will look in the mirror

And see as I see 

They will look into their own eyes and see no sparkle 

They will find that imagination is not appreciated in this world 

They will discover that nothing is fair 

 I fear that life will sweep them away in all the excitement 

Only to leave them washed up hurting and alone like all who came before 

I want to wrap my arms around each child 

I do not wish to steal the light that glows within them 

But teach them the importance of protecting it 

I want to tell them to never grow up 

But I know that this I something they cannot control 

Painful to watch and even more damaging just to know 

That they will be bruised 

They will be broken 

That They will one day sit alone in their room while their pillowcase collects the tears dripping from those eyes that once lit up with happiness 

With each drop and each birthday, they will only grow further from the best years of their life 

Wishing to go back 

To be young and alive once again 

That is my fear 

- the audacity