Poem of Childhood

We walked until our legs wobbled,

Ankles stinging from angry nettles.

We trudged through thick tracks of sodden slush,

Picked berries which melted into mush.

Our lips stained with sweet sticky juice and our fingers purple,

Ducked from birds that flew in low circles.

Through woods and fields and deep ravines,

Climbing hills and battling steep declines.

Paddles in cool shallow streams,

Squeals of delight and happy beams.

Moss and sticks and prickly cones,

Crunchy leaves, dusty feathers, and speckled stones.

We ran from the cows, chased the sheep and shooed the foxes,

Devoured the contents of our sandwich boxes.

Sipped squash from plastic cups with stripey straws,

Squashed scary bugs with pincers and claws.

Nibbled Hula Hoops off our fingers and thumbs,

Ate every last morsel, each little crumb.

Traipsing home weary and achy,

Little legs weary heavy and shaky.

Hand in hand, together we walked,

Into the future of memories often talked.