Heart of a Child

 How long has it been

since you laid in the warm grass

Just for a closer look

For a deep breath of fresh air

For a feeling of open space

Absent of noise

How long has it been 

since you leaned in real close to watch an ant

To dig your fingers in the sand

and study each grain

For the feel of the soft dirt underneath your nails

How long has it been 

since you watched a river

Listening as it babbles, telling you a story

Throwing a stick and watching it disappear

on it's way to the ocean

 How long has it been 

since you played Tom Saywer and Huck Finn

Imagining your escape down the river

Building yourself a fort and fishing with a stick

Not a care in the world

How long has it been

since you ran with wind 

Using your coat for a sail

no destination

Just listening to the pounding of each footstep 

as you go

How long has it been

since you tested your bravery

one step at a time 

while your heart beats madly

not really sure if you can make it

to the other side

 

 How long has it been

since you've felt the elation

of reaching your destination

 smiling and

turning around to encourage your little brother

who hasn't quite made it yet 

How long has it been

since you had the heart of a child?