Disobedient Children

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"Disobedient children don't live half of their days."
I can hear your voice reciting this sentiment 
Did you ever consider how scary that sounds to a child
I know it was meant to scare 
But was it meant to scar
This turn of phrase left me so confused 
So convinced that I’d never see adulthood 
I know you meant no harm
You carried forward what you learned

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep brought no comfort 
For what does a child know of life and death
The memory of that oft said phrase
The memory of that terrible prayer
Still haunt my inner child

Rock-a-bye Baby always made me sad for the baby
Why was the baby on a treetop
A baby falling from a broken tree bough 
Is hardly a comforting lullaby

I did not carry these things forward
I staunchly refused
I surrendered the nightmares of these things to the ether and to time
And celebrate every day that this disobedient child is still here

- gws

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