As a child, with a child's mind
No troubles in the world
I loved to meet the dawning day
And see the Flag unfurled.
I loved to skip my way to school
And make the teacher smile.
Oh, back when I was innocent
Though that has been awhile.
There was a rude awakening
When Kennedy was killed
When Walter sobbed the horrid news
And all our hearts were chilled.
And pictures seen of Bangladesh
The starving children shown
Upon the screen at dinner time
Such troubles, now, were known.
The first time someone laid their hands
Upon our virgin souls.
The day we learned our best attempts
Couldn't always win our goals.
The time the dog was deathly ill
And nothing could be done.
A time when heading off to school
No longer seemed like fun.
But life goes on, and children learn
The lessons all lives share
Some things we trust forever
And of some, we must beware.
But even though the downside
Often makes it tough to cope
The innocence of childhood
Can give the gift of hope.
