I watch as his body bathes
In the shallow mountain stream,
By the glowing twilight of this day.
His head bowed in quiet study.
The late afternoon sun reflecting
Softly from his youthful frame.
An innocence personified
By untroubled thoughts and dreams,
As pure as the cool dark pool
Where he plays with the little fish.
A child unaffected by the past
Or the burdens of the present.
A boy’s wishful indifference lost
In a world of his own making.
I wish to hold you forever
In this moment of childhood bliss.
There is so much you do not know
Of the sorrow in this world;
The fear that will grow like a weed,
The pride and the pain, you will learn,
Fall like rain. And you will come
To know them all, and recall
That moment in the sun when
You were carefree,
Your time your own,
Your play your dream.
Sheltered, protected, unaware
Of the world beyond your play.
The future is yours, but it can wait!
I am saddened to know your destiny.
I fear for you and what will be.
An innocence lost!
The water is cool and clear,
The sun is warm and bright.
But someday you will realize
There is a price to be paid
To live in this world we have made.
And for that I am truly sorry.