John Lawless Poet Free verse

How Long Will This Innocence Last

I ponder
How long will this innocence last.
As I watch him play….take leave
Of our world
And become a dinosaur,
Roar and stomp and laugh
And mispronounce their names.

I watch her pirouette
Turn cartwheels
Dance to a tune only she hears
Tumble to the floor….. laughing.

I struggle to protect them
To shield them from
The righteousness of authoritarianism 
To permit them to be themselves.

It is not my job to mold them
Shape them, compel them
But to provide them a safe place
To discover their uniqueness
To explore, to dare to be
A dinosaur, a ballerina
A child.


John G. Lawless
©4/8/2022

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Deb M April 9, 2022 at 7:23 AM Oh John that is truly lovely. I understand it totally….wanting to protect them from life’s harsh realities and keep them safe. The innocence of a child …..I just love it !! Enjoyed! Debx