When I was young and tough and proud

I could sing and dance and laugh out loud

Double Bubble Gum was so much fun

We made a day out of the bright yellow sun

I remember playing with old dishes in the dirt

We climbed a lot of trees, fell down and got hurt

Mom didn’t worry about us too much

We had imagination, made up games and such

Those memories are etched forever in my mind

Not too many toys, just friends and time

We never felt like we had a need

Mom loved us good and sent us out with Godspeed

As I look back and sense those times

Riding my bike to the five and dime

Just to look at shoppers and meet up with friends

Have a candy bar and take a spin with a grin

Skins and scrapes from bumping my knees, remain

The feelings of youth run wild through my brain

Those times that are past will never return

It’s so different nowadays, what kids learn

I wish I could bring back those simple days

Feeling happy just to play in the sprinkler spray

Shooting marbles on the sidewalk and digging up bugs

Mom made good food and gave us hugs

Life has gotten busy, wasting precious time

No moments for chilling, thinking up a silly rhyme

In an instant, we grow up and face a boisterous world

Like juggernauts, we are fashioned, selected and hurled

Without real contemplation for the future or the past

Never knowing what’s real, what’s important, what will last

We need to slow down, savor the beauty of the child

The simple, the natural, the remarkable and the wild

Face each day with chutzpah, never let the child die

Inside our hearts, celebrate the reasons why

Then we’ll never grow old and we’ll always stay young

Designed from creation, that we’ve already won

Never to quarrel about anything, lie, steal or hate

In no way, feel laden from time’s Goliath weights

Experience life’s charms, learn, love and grow

Shine like stars, tuned to the universal flow.

-M. Jacobs