Student Publishing Program ::

Juliet Hewes

The World of Childhood

I stopped in front of a playground
And observed
The children; their carefree life
their joy.

The sound of giggles echoed throughout the city.
Imprinted on their faces were the lines of laughter.
Their hair reflected the light
giving them a saintly appearance.

In a puddle on the sidewalk,
I gazed at my reflection
pale skin
sunken eyes.

The corners of my mouth, turned downwards
forever engraved on my face.
I was like a balloon with no air;
no laughter to spare.

I tried to reach out
steal their happiness,
their joy.
Yet it was beyond my grasp; unattainable.

A small hand clasped mine.
Startled
I looked down
and was greeted by a reassuring smile, by one of them.

“come with me” the child said
as he led me into his world
a world of joy, a world of magic.
The world of childhood.

[TABLE OF CONTENTS, LHS CLASS OF 2013 EDITION]