I KNEW A CHILD

I knew a child who looked

into the eyes of animals,

and saw their souls.

A child who learned the language

of the trees and spoke to rocks;

could fly on clouds and dream.

This child, open to the world,

became heart- filled, fearless,

unharmed, and undefiled.

Born to know through feeling,

children flourish or perish:

So too the animals.

What world we make for ours

and theirs, can blind in pain

or bind in light to love.

I knew a child who saw the light

and felt all pain but shone

with joy in love for all.

Uncorrupted like eternal spring

the child within moves on,

secure in a universe embraced.

In grace and wonder,

innocent and selflessness,

this child is parent to us all.