She Plays

artwork by Natalia Outkina

She plays jump rope with butterflies

Admiring their designs

Then plays tag with a firefly

Reaching for it as it flutters away

Follow the leader is more fun

With a dancing leaf

While tumbleweeds

Lead to new and colorful adventures

As I watch, I remember

When this little girl’s Daddy

Was her age 

The calendar pages flip so quickly

Grab every second and make it worthwhile!

Reviews

[Lorry]

Yep Lydi... the scariest thing is when you can remember being that age and so excited and full of life at the very same nature that makes her giggle and smile.
Full of innocent delight and if you really want to blow her mind, just show her how to bake or cook from scratch or read her a favourite story from your childhood and watch her eyes light up with excitement as you tell her of when you were her age. I remember being that young that you thought teachers just reached and nothing else and Grans and Grandpa's were just waiting for you to be born so they could be Frans and Grandpa's.
Make sure they keep that innocence as long as they can, before the big bad Wolf of reality comes knocking, like it does... unfortunately.

[Lydia Shutter]

Lorry, what a lovely review this is! Yes, the innocence is stolen from us by society. Still lovely to watch it in action though! Thanks, Lydi***

[emmajoygreen]

Perhaps most of us had a smut of innocence once upon a time. Yet, once we open selves to the so called fashionable flaws of 'one for all and all for one' (with apologies), even the would.be one heart - one mind people would ask selves if they are who and what they pretend to be! Maybe true innocence is not being critical of those who They profess they are not. So many walk in the shadows hoping not to be noticed!
Alternately, keep calling their innocence via ventured theatre, after all: player are always players!

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Lydi
Absolutely! We don’t even realize how quickly time flies… make the most of every moment them remember all those glorious years in a scrapbook of delicious moments; capture every important step in life’s process……wonderful!
Warmly
B🌷

[Thomas W Case]

Sweet and tender, like sun spilling through the trees—your poem catches childhood in motion.
It’s playful, alive, and luminous, a gentle reminder to hold every fleeting moment.

[Desert Knave]

What a wonderful look at the bliss of youthful innocence. ~Jim

[Chris Shaw]

Little children at play. Your words have a beautiful, innocent quality to them. An endearing write which is a reminder that time passes by so quickly and children are grown before you know it. Delightful posted image to accompany your words. Lovely, dear Lydi**

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

simply beautiful, Lydi. your little girl at play is made so easy to see as she goes through her fantasy world. your poem has made my morning a little brighter and lighter ... chasing the tumbleweeds is calling to me :)
E.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, E. The innocence of youth is a joy to behold....truly a blessing. Lydi***

[jacob erin-cilberto]

My friend has a daughter...almost 4 now....and the girl in the picture and the poem reminds me of her.
Don't we wish sometimes to be that small and innocent again....to be surprised by the world and carefree.
Lovely piece, Lydi.
j.

[Lydia Shutter]

That version of me is long gone...but watching the innocence in motion is breathtaking. Thanks, Jacob.