Vitamin Childhood

The mysteries of childhood are large.

Unwieldly, persistent, and full.

A doll becomes a living soul -

A towel, a prince's robe.

These mysteries follow us everywhere -

trailing behind us like so many clouds of pixie dust,

smudging the clean lines of our lives.

("Can I take my bear to the potty with me?"
"Mom, don't ruin my space ship! It's going to Mars!")

And as the crowns, badges, dolls and capes pile up

I realize just what they are.

Not playthings at all, but tools;

Their business more serious than any grown-up pursuit.

For with each incarnation of doll into darling, stick into sword,

the child is shaped by the things she adores.

A princess. A hero. A king. A friend.

From fireman to fairy, these fantasies

are more real than most of what takes place

when they fade.

I love them for that.

The children, yes.

The fantasies, and even their trail-along toys.

But most of all, the souls.

The kings beneath their bedsheet robes,

the heroines gracing teddy bears with their care.

I cherish the reality their make-believe shows-

laying up stock in the Day

when all playthings transform

into the stuff made for legends.

Their capes shine with jewels! Their crowns catch the light!

And all their glory comes Home.