A Child's Summer

A child needs a place where he can run
unhindered by some wooden fence or wire.
He needs a spot beneath the summer sun,
a peaceful breeze to soothe him should he tire.

He understands the time to pause in play;
to rest upon a hill and thus renew;
to study clouds that fleck the azure skyway
until they rearrange and pass from view.

A child wants to laugh and taste and see;
to hear a rushing stream; to twirl and leap;
to dip bare feet in mud; hide in a tree
and greet the stars before he has to sleep.

A child sheltered from the sun's caress
grows pale and little knows of happiness.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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12
Guptar Avatar
June 8, 2026 at 8:05 AM
Congratulations, dear poetess on your top win in this contest with a lovely sonnet painying the needs and joys of childhood. Wishing you a joyful new week
Layne Avatar
June 7, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Andrea, thanks for entering my first sponsored contest. Your piece was beautiful and simple, like childhood should be. Congratulations!
Dietrich Avatar
June 7, 2026 at 2:29 PM
thanks so much. I appreciate your appreciation of my sonnet.
Godwin Avatar
September 21, 2025 at 11:41 PM
"How Child Needs and Knows Changed in the Eighties" could also be the title of this emotive and reminiscent walk thru the childhood we and other generations knew. (that's a long sentence.) An excellent and, I think, poignant poem. Poetry hugs ... CayCay
Watt Avatar
September 5, 2020 at 9:40 AM
This sure describes my childhood! Long, unstructured summer days in the sun and shade, refreshed by a breeze or a drink from the garden hose, soaring on bikes from one adventure to the next, gazing at clouds and stars, going to bed exhausted but happy. A fave for me ~ John
George   Avatar
November 3, 2016 at 5:02 AM
Very valuable lesson conveyed in this beautiful sonnet, Andrea. Congrats on your win. Lainey
Yvonne Avatar
February 10, 2015 at 2:41 PM
Absolutely charming, it is however coincidental that you didn't even know me yet and you still wrote a poem about me.
Austin Avatar
September 18, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Going a way back, but I still can't find one I haven't read. This is sweet, sensitive and beautifully written. I wonder about children today. I see them plodding home with a ton of books. Hey! Let's make little adults of them, seems to be the idea. I totally disagree. Love, daver
Ball Avatar
July 16, 2011 at 7:01 PM
This is so true my friend. The city is no place for a kid. Great job here. God Bless, JB
Zzzzz Avatar
July 6, 2011 at 2:09 PM
Some good sentiments nicely expressed. A child does indeed need such things. A child needs to be allowed to be...a child. Love, Robert.
Zzzzz Avatar
July 6, 2011 at 2:08 PM
Some good sentiments nicely expressed. A child does indeed need such things. A child needs to be allowed to be...a child. Love, Robert.
Lammerman Avatar
June 12, 2011 at 3:15 PM
that is truly beautiful :) thanks for sharing that with the world check out mine about " beautiful child"
A  Avatar
June 11, 2011 at 6:22 AM
Congratulations Andrea, love it ~ always *skat wyps
Phookan Avatar
June 10, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Congrats Andrea on your fantastic win in this contest..a wonderful write and this is definitely how kids should grow.love, gautami
Johnson Avatar
June 9, 2011 at 9:59 PM
Great Win and poem Andrea, i can see the child at play, eyes wide with wonderment, jumping around today. xo Don
Mehta Avatar
June 9, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Accept my congratulations on the win in the contest of Francine, Andrea
Babcock Avatar
June 9, 2011 at 9:03 AM
That is so true you have to experience all these little things to truly live and enjoy nature. Wonderful poem. Now I have to go and cut Al's hair. Yes, I cut his hair because I got tired of hair dressers doing a terrible job. I do a fine job so now I cut it myself, beginning to be jack of all trades. ha ha. love phyl
Guzzi Avatar
June 8, 2011 at 1:57 PM
Oh Andie so well written such pathos, I bet you were thinking of your grandchildren! Congrad's Light & Love
Taylor Avatar
June 8, 2011 at 1:48 PM
Congrats on your win, Andrea. Beautiful piece. Nice going. xxxRalph
Beck Avatar
June 8, 2011 at 12:27 PM
congratulations for this well-deserved win ( as I predicted, your name is two/three centimetres above mine L O L )....phrases which i especially liked were "fleck the azure skyway" and "greet the stars" . As a personal feeling, the last couplet somewhat detracted from the whole ( please don't feel offended at the opinion of a rank amateur novice)....best wishes ...... Syd
Horne Avatar
June 8, 2011 at 11:40 AM
I love this one - Many congrats to you, Andrea : )
Sweetheart Avatar
June 8, 2011 at 11:03 AM
congrats Andrea on your great win with this delightful write my friend.. enjoy another super one..
Long Avatar
June 8, 2011 at 10:56 AM
congrats on your win. cory
Macmillan Avatar
June 8, 2011 at 10:41 AM
OOPS! LOL- I started talking about my girl, I said First...Now second, I loved that you didn't go all clitche on us...your bare feet were in mud, not sand and instead of using 'good-night' he 'greets' the stars. Nice turn around. Good writing...anyhoo....lovely read, take care, Cyndi (note to self comment on poem first and on my daughter second, next time :-) )
Brown Avatar
June 8, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Congratulations on your win in Francine's "Barefoot"contest Andrea. Love, Carol
Macmillan Avatar
June 8, 2011 at 10:31 AM
Loved his one, Andrea. First, the subject hits me close to home. My girl has had a lot of colds and yet I do not want to hide her away from other kids. Well, she went to a play group and (predictably) 3 days later was sick. Hubby says to me,"That's it, she is never, ever going back there! We're abusing her!" I understand him, but I said, "Keeping her away from all the things she adores, what is that?" Sigh...the conflict of protecting and letting be..I'm livin' it :) Cyndi PERFECT POEM!
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