Every child should climb
Into the high branches
Of a tree and make a swing
Of old rope and optimism;
Stand on their hands
And see the world the adults made
Turned upside down;
Take off their socks and shoes,
And wade knee deep into the stream
Impervious to the cold.
Every child should
Dare to roll down the big hill
Arms tucked in and eyes shut tight
Feeling the momentum and thrill;
Dash into the sea and jump the
Clean clear waves
Before they break;
Squeeze through a gap in a hedge
Just to see
What is on the other side.
Every child should
Get lost in a crop that is
Taller than them;
Pick wild berries and cram them
Into their mouth, letting the juice
Stain their hands and chin;
Kick through leaves that the wind has piled
Or fall back with arms outstretched
To plump into their yielding softness
And know the generosity of the universe.
Every child should
Dig into the first snow of winter
With freezing fingers and make a ball
Then roll it into a snowman;
Make a den in which to hide
From monsters, ghosts and ghouls;
Defeat the dragon, the aliens, the invading hordes
With a magical sword and
Return home triumphant to
Be crowned the hero of their own story.
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