There is nothing to gain in
putting children down; in making
then subservient to us adults!
Let go of control, and remember
this, our journey, to “be as children,”
to retain the wonder, the dream.
Teachers: we are wise to learn
from children, and go beyond equal
treatment of the young—make them king.
Serve a child, shake hands—give a first
name and serve. Get them things,
listen and allow them their needs.
The devil gets into anyone—children,
too—so shut down bad behavior as
best you can when in charge of a home
or class. But come from a proper
place of knowing the devil can get to
us adults, too! Banish judgment, and
wander onto the side of children as
you “teach,” take in the lessons learned
when you open to the moment,
find God in open minds, and be willing
to see that someone else beside you had
the best idea of the day! We are children
inside, let that hair down, and keep joy
for life close—live every day as if it were
the very first, put down alcohol, drugs,
resentment and self-pity; these are the
ways Satan hammers the child out of
you, turns us into grumpy puppies!
Ruff! Shake a child’s hand and bless your
life. Do them a favor, be a hero in
Longfellow’s strife! God bless the children
in us, so we can be there for the actually
young! Tucked in shirts and “respect
for your elder” is not as important
as a humble knowledge of the universal
pecking order. God or Higher Power
above and beyond, all of us below it,
the young with a special access to the
simple and true—study the child, and you
can be true, too—so give beyond the
sergeant’s whistle, beyond the “getting
them in line,” and make of the young
ones friends, and pass beyond a good time.
It is the road to heaven to be truthful
and full of joy—remember our place,
love a child, and certain peace of mind
is granted to every girl and boy.
Bill Watkins, Traveling Poet 