Best of both worlds

 from "Old Collection"

(I had this written out and taped to my wall of my room at college I remember)

As children,

   we experience every flower,

   every rainbow and every butterfly in flight

   as a miracle...

   a gift that keeps its magic and beauty

   long after time has made it familiar.

Then something happens along the way

   and we lose that innocence,

   that sense of excitement.

It is as though something very special

   silently slips away

   when we come to the end

   of our childhood journey

   to enter the world of adults...

And yet, if we would keep those qualities

   and allow the child within us

   to share in all the experiences 

   that being grown up brings,

   if we would listen

   as the child within us

   inspires us, guides and delights us,

   every joy would shine

   with beautiful intensity

   every experience would offer

   memories to savor...

   and we would have 

   the very best of both worlds.