Who wants to lose their childlike awe and wonder?
Who wants to have dried up dreams and a shriveled imagination?
Not me – and I’m pretty sure you didn’t raise your hand either!
Yet we all know, as we go about the business (really “busyness”) of our everyday lives, it’s easy to become immune to majesty – to see a sunset and no longer catch our breath at its beauty, or to see a bird (if we notice it at all) and never pause to ponder who painted its feathers or wonder what it would feel like to fly.
My daughter wrote a poem the other day that reflects this same sentiment far better than I could ever express it. It has no title as of yet (she is a gifted poet, but a terrible “title-er”) but she gave me permission to share it.
What have I forgotten?
As long days sprinted
into short years,
surely some memory
has been suppressed.
I suppose in time
the sun that ignited
glowing daffodils
merely began to exist.
The trains that bore
hidden wonders
now bring nothing
but a bore.
The sound of a bird
exulting over his life
became a noise,
and the creek water
rushing onward
led to nowhere.
A rock became a stone
instead of a mountain;
a pebble became a rock
instead of from David’s sling.
The barriers that arose
I always could defeat,
until I grew them
so I no longer could surmount.
What have I forgotten?
That reality is to imagine.
I, for one, don’t want to lose my childlike awe and wonder. I don’t want to be unmoved by the beauty around me. If you’ve made it this far in this post, I’m guessing you feel the same! So, I am posting some pictures I took yesterday morning of the birds who showed up in the early hours to enjoy breakfast. I invite you to slow down and really see them…to notice their details…and maybe even marvel a bit at their beauty.
Let’s not be numbered among those who grow immune to majesty!
Backyard Bird Nerd 
Lovely post, congrats to your daughter for the poem, kudos to you for your great shots. 🙂
Good thing I took the photos yesterday morning…today’s pictures are rather icy. 🙂
Your daughter’s poem expresses your sentiment admirably and your photos beautifully demonstrate what could be lost.Thank you for the thoughts.
Thank you…thank you…and you’re most welcome. 🙂
Thanks for the reminder! Beautifully expressed. And for these pics too for when I am on the road.
You are most welcome…and thanks for sharing what you are doing with your backyard – it is beautiful. 🙂
Your words along with your daughters most insightful poem cry out loudly of the danger of familiarity and complacency which can be our biggest enemies for dulling our sense of majesty and awae. I am so thankful to be able still to appreciate and worship our Great and Awesome God and the variety of His works… Thanks Kathy
Amen, amen, amen! 🙂
Hello Kathy,
I love this post. Both the poem (your daughter is a wonderful writer) and photos are beautiful. I agree it’s important to not lose our childlike qualities. Many people mistake it for ‘childish’ which is very different of course. I’m glad to know I’m not alone 🙂
Warmly,
Takami
Thank you. I will pass along your kind words to my daughter. 🙂 And nope, you are not alone.
Such a beautiful poem, you daughter is very talented. And your photos are lovely, of course. I often wonder about those who go through their days and never notice the beauty that is all around them. It is everywhere, if we will just take the time to look.
On a different note – I see the SX60 is out now and have read some reviews. Have you done any research into it?
Thanks. I am biased, but I think my daughter is pretty talented too. 🙂
As far as the SX60 goes, I have heard it is pretty much a bust. Sounds like the extra zoom isn’t all that clear. I am sticking with my 50 for now.
Yes, that’s what I read also. For the extra money, I need to wait and master what I have first! 🙂
Wow!!!