Issue Index

Full-Time Dads;

The Magazine for Caregiver Fathers

Issue 23

A Child in This World

By Stephen Harris

a child in this world

can grow to such enormous heights-

a whole universe spilling out

before their tiny feet-

1. a horn o plenty-

   things to become-

   ghosts and shapes

   outlines

   mere supposes

   wide open concepts

   an a million pairs of shoes.

a child growing into this world

can walk down any street,

stare into blank windows of

empty houses,

laugh or cry in such simple need,

see to the core of each matter

and know, somewhere, that there is

no matter-

a child magically appearing in this world

doesn't care about

1. charity

   wholesomeness

   corruption

   people being nasty

   or nice-

   doesn't know except what's there-

i lose the thread,

but children in this world

can hold on to it,

lead me back to it,

and weave me back into

the textured fabric of

their tiny lives-

Copyright 1996 Stephen Harris