i played as happily as a child
i laughed hysterically at jokes i didn't understand.
when i was a child
i asked countless questions
i was more trusting of people and i believed their words.
when i was a child
i loved big airplanes, barbies and horse racing
i loved visits to my father on week-ends.
when i was a child
i believed in the tooth fairy and monsters under the bed
i wanted so badly to go to wonderland with alice.
i was more playful
i took more risks as a child
i never broke any promises.
when i was a child
i cherished bedtime stories
i always went to sleep with a night lamp.
when i was a child
i spoke as children do
and i knew my place.
when i was a child
i got punished when i should
but i was never beaten.
i was never tied to a chair and forgotten
i was never put in a microwave or an oven
i was never found in a trash can.
i was never starved or neglected
i was never abused or misused or stomped on
i was never alone.
oh children of today
who are robbed of a wonderful childhood
who are forced to grow up too fast.
who never laugh and know no joy
i love you because i don't know
if i could make it today the way you do.
and all i have are tales
of a woman who was once a child
but has since put away those things.
God, bless the children
please, bless the children.
thank you.
