If is a magic word

that travels with imagination,

draws on who we wished to be

thrives on inspiration.

As a child I played with sticks

they became people

planes

and many things,

I never saw them

as scraps of wood

life was like that

as a child.

A sunny day

with no school

was a delight that raised you high,

go for long walks

miles and miles

climbing trees

falling in ponds trying to catch a fish

oh such memories

their shadows dangle across my life

enticing me back

but I can only wish.

For as a child

there was pain

as well as holes in shoes

that let in the rain

just dismissed it all,

except the bits

that make me smile

kept me going

maybe forever will.

For there I nutured

my inner child

that me that I love

so long ago,

that returns every now and again

as shadows across my life

recalling the happy

within.