As a child, I ran barefoot,
playing outside where the street burst open like fire.
I laughed as sparks of sun chased my shadow,
and the earth beneath me felt warm, alive—
whispering stories through a child’s soul.
By the river, a waterfall watered us,
silver showers twisting, hissing, cold on our warm bodies.
We climbed the trees; we tossed stones far—
the world was wide with fun.
Joy crackled in our laughter,
like a match struck in a midday romp—
a flame in our childish frolic.
We thought this was our whole world,
Endless days of adventure and light,
away from home.
At night, we chased fireflies,
Their light called to us, drawing us to explore their hidden world.
The fluttering light pulsing like a heart,
a gentle rhythm drumming softly.
We felt its delicate legs brushing our palms
as it shifted, adjusting to our cupped tiny hands,
telling us it brought a piece of night’s magic just for us.