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''(A Life Already Lived in the Palm of a Newborn Child)''[^A writing assignment on the subject of children and childhood]
And we were
Giants! Not of stature,
But of diff'rent kind.
Of this, I prithee
Tell me, so as to
Our son remind.
===I
Feeting 'cross the wilds,
Like horses! Sounds
Of shoeless hoofbeats—A child,
As music box be wound.
Where my soles did meet
The ground, that below me there lay,
Those vibrant grasses 'neath my feet,
So graciously gave way.
As I made the world my own
And rode from shore to shore
Like rivers, waters, carving stone
Reaching for the core.
Holding still, with gated breath
Disbanding notions of regret,
Of being guests, or out of depth:
Abusers of our Parents' bed.
===II
I sought to reach the source
Of things. Of nature and its origins.
Finding out their truthful courses:
Middles, ends and beginnings.
Soon I reach'd blue-line sublime
To swim, to dive and hold in hand
The pearls of time, divine &
Shining, hidden in the sand.
And should my youthful spirits start,
Mine zeal be cooléd still,
I might yet wish to be a part
Of life, my aims fulfil.
Should my eternal soul be left
Bereft, of interest
I tell myself, to something keep,
Of youthful, blesséd zest.
===III
Giants we were, with laurel wreaths
And numerous strengths instill'd.
But all those things I've now bequeath'd
As now I’ll sheathe my quill.
My music box, now running out
Of little notes to sing
A stony silence met without
More memories to bring.
As I lay here tired—Like
The Nephilim, too proud and tall
Looking at life's little empire,
A Kingdom Come, and Fall.
I slowly turn, with wilder'd eyes, for
Deeds & doings beget chastisements.
Ah! Darkened clouds be coming: More
Frightful tokens of descent.
===IV
Yet now I see, the world be smiling,
There beguiling. And now it has begun!
Spare thy thought, no more designing.
My time here is soon done.
Therefore shall her saintly shell
Soon be bringing thee.
Thus only coming time can tell
If these auguries came true.
