Grinning in Public

In my dream I open the door
to an entire room of little beings
brimming with the play of life,
to beautiful crawling babies
and toddlers full of curiosity.
And though I know how conditioning works,
it’s puzzling how we could have let
that blaze of tenderness and courage
so die out within us, at best get covered
with adult control and solemnity.
We open the door as little beings
and then, oh dear, get extremely serious.

But now there’s no one to tell me,
You can’t go grinning in public!
Somber days are done
I’m playing in earnest again.
No purpose in any way practical,
nothing staid or stern or grave, hooray,
my games engage me thoroughly.
Theatre each day, something fresh to try.
New routines, thoughts and feelings
I haven’t known before.
I’m back to being an exploring toddler
in life’s fantastic room.

©Susa Silvermarie 2025