one afternoon at the playground

do not steal the dreams from the children

do not quench the wonder in their eyes never
do not turn off the wonder they carry in their hearts 
we will never have a greater responsibility and joy
then cultivate our children's dreams
as in the garden we grow good fruits and vegetables,
a salad of surprise, enchantment, beauty and wonder

afternoon at the playground, a swing and a compass for the dreams

do not close the door of their fantasies 
the door of their dreams, their gateway to the world
the door they look to in the evening while they are waiting for our return
they wait and on our arrival they jump up and embrace us
no, do not quench the dreams of the children ever
ever!

we are their compass, we are their lighthouse
and one beautiful spring afternoon at the playground 
 one step at a time we will see them walk away 
turning back to look for us one last time,
 secretly without being noticed
and when they will come near to a new friend 
they will raised their hand, to greet us in the distance
to feel safe, to gain confidence
 and then they will smile with the other hand resting on their side
 and away they will run toward the swing!


on that beautiful spring day 
 they won’t call us for a push on the swing 
and all that remains is everything, is the whole universe
that’s the way things go, that’s the way they should go
and  there is no joy there is no greater responsibility
 there is no other human task that even
 comes close to this exciting task
extraordinary tiring, thrilling
and wonderful task
nothing else in the world

and that day the swing will be the greatest achievement
just like the first bicykle ride
and all that remains is everything, is the whole universe
and no child should be excluded from the  extraordinary wonders of the first years of their life 
no child should cry for his dreams crushed by the carelessness and indifference of the grown up
no child ever
ever!

and all that remains is a day at the park
one step after another and a hand waving far away
a run to the swing
and as we look at them, a long sigh of relief
today is a good day
today the universe will make his usual round on its rollercoaster
and a child in the park, happy and secure will  flight away
cheerful and free will fly far away
one step at a time
one step at a time
there is no greater joy
that’s the way things go, that’s the way they should go
one afternoon at the playground
a swing and a compass for the dreams
and so be it 

Marco Bo

http://cantidallaperiferiadelmondo.blogspot.com/2013/05/un-pomeriggio-al-parco-giochi.html