“Childhood” by Mandy Austin Cook

She’s still there

the little girl with all of the happy comforting memories

the one who climbed with teddy  to curl around the cradle of her favorite tree all day

to read Lucy Maud Montgomery’s musings

to experience the liveliness of the friendly forest.

the breeze chuckling through the dogwood blossoms

so it could  tease and tousle her sun-kissed hair

 

you know her. whether you think you do or not

the child from the farm who never met a stranger in an animal

her first love was affectionate little ducklings

she didn’t see the difference between wild or tame

with the support of the sunshine smiling on her cheek

 

she is from where I draw strength

the girl scout surrounded by trust and campfires

cabins and laughter

because with her magical knack to value the good

and the firey stubbornness that knows she is magical

that young lady can do anything.