They Were Very Happy Poem by Daniel Brick
They Were Very Happy
When I was a child,
I was told
if I dug a hole deep enough
I would reach China. I asked,
how long would it take to dig
such a deep hole? And they laughed.
But I was serious,
even at that age. I had a need
to make fantasy real, or die trying.
So I did die many times,
and my imagination kept re-birthing me.
It got tiresome after awhile.
China was no closer, and the shovels
were really heavy. Still at night
when I was very much alone in my attic bedroom,
the rest of the family asleep downstairs,
I distantly heard people speaking
in Chinese. They were very happy,
and were planning a big party for my arrival,
which they considered imminent.
I agree... Lovely. I spent many hours trying to dig to China... Through dirt and sand. Keep dreaming Daniel... You may get there yet! :)
Oh, I did get there, last spring, one of the villagers let me use her I-phone to message you (sic) . I was ppretty messy when I finished tunneling but villagers had a feast prepared and performed a Dragon Dance! Next time you come, they said, bring your friends. So come along, Pam, I dropping through the planet next week!
Childhood is a time of vibrant imagination! What a child cannot do in practical life but desires to do, he does through imagination! In your young days you must have longed to visit China just because something you heard or read about China must have greatly fascinated you! You must have thought of ways and means to reach China and felt that making an underground tunnel would take you to that wonderland. Thus even at night when others were asleep your active brain was busy planning such a trip! I can so well relate to such experiences as a child! This poem, simple and sweet shows how a child's active brain works and how he achieves wish fulfillment! !
this is a lovely poem, indeed, Daniel. It is so 'fresh' and, in the same time, very 'deep' - almost as that hole to get to China.. :) and I've decided to translate your poem into my native language, as (I'd dare say) it relates also to my own infancy.. - Then, it could be (probably, even if not 'surely') one of my last 'actions' at PH.. So, here is my ''hello'' and.. ''best wishes'' to everybody! F. -
Innovative wisely the perception of the other part of our world, the altera pars of understanding
Childhood and fantasy...they r inseparable. Though as poets we still day dream n fantasize. In fact, everybody needs to keep the child alive in them to let their imagination roam and to make life beautiful. Good to read this poem.
That's the music of my life too, namely, letting the imaginatiion roam and keeping the child alive within. It's good to hear from you, Nosheen, I haven't responded lately since my computer broke down (CRASH!) but I have access to one now in my apartment bldg. office (ACCESS!) . You'll hear from me more reliably.
Good train of thought well articulated and nicely penned with pleasant sense of humour. Thanks for sharing Daniel.
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5/6/2024 11:09:05 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Lovely! I am sure that such thoughts coursed through my young mind as well. (And still do) : -)
Right, Kelly, we've got to keep the childlike, even childish sense of openness alive.