When Life Was Really Child's Play

Oh, the stress-free, carefree world of children
O' take me back to the lil kids' playpen

When we tried on mom's cosmetics and lipsticks
and built playhouses with plastic blocks and bricks
And had fun with cooking set picnics

Anything could be a toy
and our racket could annoy

We turned everything into play things
We played pretend queens and kings

We then played 'mom and dad'
Oh the squealing fun we had!

Teasing, chasing hens and kittens
climbing the grumpy neighbour's fence.

There was paper airplanes
and frisking in the rains

Paper boats too were made
and hide'n'seek was played

And when that wasn't enough
we played blind man's bluff.

We nimbly climbed the trees
hair flailing in the breeze

But our child's play naturally mimicked the grownups
Lil plastic ones instead of real porcelain cups.

Life was all play and games
in our growing mental frames.

Sand castles and kites
childish fights and frights!

And kind parents just let them frisk and play
for all work and no play makes one a dull boy
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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12
Deschler Avatar
July 29, 2023 at 10:10 AM
A wonderful poem! This brought back so many good childhood memories for me :)
Gauthier Avatar
November 19, 2019 at 7:16 AM
Worth a revisit for sure. Enjoyed your poem.
Timperley Avatar
August 24, 2019 at 12:08 PM
A lovely dip into nostalgia. I also have written a few poems on when we were kids. God Bless. D.
Duet Avatar
April 17, 2019 at 6:22 PM
I enjoyed this one so much, Zaynab. It really brings to the reader's mind such familiar and precious memories of childhood. *soupmail
Makama Avatar
December 22, 2018 at 9:40 AM
A beautiful couplet, full of surreal and fantastic imagery... Love it, love it, love it! Merry christmas and a happy 2019
Gauthier Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 1:33 PM
Lovely nostalgic imgery. A pleasure to read.
U.D Palawon  Avatar
October 9, 2018 at 12:50 AM
Oh dear! a good retrospective of life...who doesn't miss childhood and the the world could promise!! :D:D Well penned.. Regs Sunita UPD.
Imtiaz Avatar
September 3, 2018 at 9:43 AM
The great and unforgettable memories of the childhood. Missed always
Deo Avatar
August 15, 2018 at 9:17 AM
Thanks for memories ... yes, the secret is, not to take things seriously. Enjoy this moment, this time, this day. Love-ly little reminders. shalom/salaam/Shanthi Om and Khudah Hafiz
Sietesantos Avatar
August 11, 2018 at 9:58 AM
My dear, I ditto these nostalgic sentiments expressed so lovely here! Your wonderful imagery conjuring the good times of a wonderful childhood made me smile today! Well done, my friend! Hugs and love. Pandita
Carber Avatar
August 11, 2018 at 9:16 AM
You've caught well the true magic that is childhood-- it seems that growing up causes all the problems in the world!
Joyce Avatar
July 13, 2018 at 6:36 PM
hey hey hey nicely done ..really enjoyed reading this one
Delaney Avatar
July 7, 2018 at 8:58 AM
It reminds me so much of when I was a kid. Children are thrust too soon into the real world now leaving their imaginations stunted. Also lack of needing blunts their gratitude. Their joy is so much less for it all. Hugs, SuZ
Salehi Avatar
June 9, 2018 at 2:05 PM
"The children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he/she grows up."
De Beaulieu Avatar
June 8, 2018 at 5:50 PM
Hello S. zaynab Kamoorpun, This reminds me of a childhood of lots of fun. have a nice evening my friend.
Leicht Avatar
May 10, 2018 at 4:52 AM
Ah! U described this so well! I love the way u write ur poems! Keep writing amazing poems cuz they make my day:) Anna Mia
Kamoonpuri Avatar
May 10, 2018 at 1:40 PM
Aw warm thanx for your feedback, u r no less a good poetess yourself I'm sure. Take care.
Horsman Avatar
May 8, 2018 at 4:13 PM
You take me back to when childhood was just that, simple and fun, and full of respect..this is truly amazing poetry, and should hang in the archives for future generations..
Kamoonpuri Avatar
May 9, 2018 at 12:01 AM
Thanx soo much for your great and nice comment, great idea poet, we should instill in our gadget crazy kids the thrills of nature and outdoors,.
Godwin Avatar
May 8, 2018 at 12:52 PM
From start to finish, I related and I enjoyed. Saddens me that children don't seem to go outside and conquer their neighborhood world as you described and I lived. A delightful poem that reminded me of my own inner child and the innocence of my once innocent self. Try "First Grade Innocence" on the first page of my poems, if you'd like - sorta similar and sorta not! All the best ... CayCay
Kamoonpuri Avatar
May 8, 2018 at 11:59 PM
Aha nice thoughtful reflections on my poem. You are right the world has devolved into a less safer place for children to wander out by themselves. In my childhood I spent more time in trees and among flowers, but can't give it to our kids coz of many reasons, we live in an apartment which has no space for gardens , kids are more stuck on gadgets and mobile handsets than playing outdoors and where there are trees and meadow it isn't that safe perhaps to let them alone. Warmest thanx,
Thomas Avatar
May 7, 2018 at 8:55 PM
I often envied children who lived like this. Very nice scene you've created S.zaynab.
Kamoonpuri Avatar
May 8, 2018 at 1:34 AM
So I guess not everyone had a carefree childhood. Well yes it wasn't actually always piece of cake after 7years of age even for me. The sibling rivalry played big misery I recall too well. Warm thanx and take care.
Krutsinger Avatar
May 7, 2018 at 8:14 PM
I was going to say this is my favorite line, but there are so many favorite lines here.I think they may ALL be my favorite lines. I captured these because they hit me as really great: Anything could be a toy and our racket could annoy We turned everything into play things We played pretend queens and kings We then played 'mom and dad' Oh the squealing fun we had! What a nice poem you have constructed. I love it!
Kamoonpuri Avatar
May 8, 2018 at 1:32 AM
My warmest Thanxx for your lovely feedback. Take care.
Quigley Avatar
May 7, 2018 at 4:54 PM
very cool.capture lost innocence beautifully
Kamoonpuri Avatar
May 8, 2018 at 1:30 AM
Thanx so much for the review.
Sands Avatar
May 7, 2018 at 12:40 PM
This is a fun poem that brings back carefree happy times from long ago. Well done :) Thanks for sharing.
Kamoonpuri Avatar
May 8, 2018 at 1:29 AM
Warmest thanx for your comment Heidi.
Sietesantos Avatar
May 7, 2018 at 12:34 PM
Awwwww - what a lovely piece dedicated to the joys and wonder of childhood! It awakens nostalgia and the most beautiful times in my life when things were so much more simple! Beautiful! Best wishes. Pandita
Kamoonpuri Avatar
May 8, 2018 at 1:28 AM
Yes simple and beautiful and stressless. Warm wishes n thanx.
Turner Avatar
May 7, 2018 at 11:19 AM
Very well penned. You capture the magic of being a child. I too played hide and seek as a child. God Bless
Kamoonpuri Avatar
May 8, 2018 at 1:27 AM
Yes u put it finely, childhood was magical like fairytale yeahhh. Warmest thanx for your review,.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 7, 2018 at 8:01 AM
I needed that today :) thank you!
Kamoonpuri Avatar
May 8, 2018 at 1:25 AM
Glad to take u back, nostalgic ride down memory lane if we recall it. Warm thanx for comment.
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