Eternally Six

Oh how I miss being six; No problems that couldn't be fixed. Important decisions of cavort; Was which hill to make my fort. How to make the stray kitten follow my lead; So that " It followed me home" was an honest plead. Trying to guess with an experienced hunch; What was the mystery meat in the school's lunch. Hand catching craw dads and small fish; Waiting for the first star to make a wish. Mud pies and tea parties by invitation only; The little girl's private teddy bear ceremony. Splashing in puddles and climbing trees; Skinning my elbows and knees. Picking wild berries and black heart cherries; Staging my own revolutionaries. Making shapes out of clouds; Laughing and singing out loud. Wishing for rain but not chancing the odds; Sacrificing my sister's barbie dolls to the rain gods. Under a patch work quilt, snuggled safely; With my feather tick pillow I fall asleep gayly. My mother wraps her arm around me like a shawl; And whispers "Goodnight and sweet dreams Doll".