Day Nineteen, a poem for a child
You’ll know
it when you see it and you’ll see it if you look
If you
reach up way, way high and you pull down that big book
It’s been
sitting there just for you, years and years and days and days
Sit right
down on that soft sofa, crack it open, fix your gaze
Miles and
miles of words and words, those are not what you are after
Those will
come in time or mom will read them to you if you ask her
It’s the
pictures in the book, it’s the drawings and the paintings
That will
take you on a trip right into your imagination
You just
find a picture, choose one, that is funny, wild or bright
If it makes
you laugh or makes you look, it’s probably just right
Now, you
look at it! You study it. You see what you can see!
Take your
time, now. Don’t you hurry. Spending time there is the key.
Is the
squirrel in pajamas? Is the hedgehog brown or black?
Does the
dino or the rhino have a monkey on its back?
Is the lion
warm and friendly? Does his roar melt off your face?
You might
want to turn a page or two or THREE if that’s
the case.
Are there
kangaroos or kittens? Maybe grannies on their bikes
Do they
have a basket filled with flowers that your mama likes?
Take a look
now at the houses, at the mountains, at the trees
Do they
look like ones where you live? Are there deserts? Are there seas?
Are the
deserts filled with sand or pink and purple sugar dunes?
Are the
seas full of salt water or of planets, suns and moons?
When your
head is full of pictures, get as many as you can
Then’s the
time to close your eyes, and then’s the time to hatch your plan
Where will
you go? When will it be, this journey in your mind?
It’s as open
as that open book, decide what you will find
And if you
ever find yourself with lion or with clown
You simply
open up your eyes, and poof! You’re safe and sound.
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