Saturday, June 6, 2009

When We Were Very Short



I remember those shorts. And the shirt. I can't find clothes like that anymore, with pictures of animals and firemen...
And yes, those are real cowboy boots.
I had the best sisters any kid could have had. We lived in the Mojave desert which was hotter than hell most of the time. We used to fry eggs on the hoods of cars. My best friends were horny toads and tortoises.

Being in the field of children's literature, I often return to the fields of my childhood. Not just to access memories and images, but to breathe that air. To see things for the first time again. The whole world was new. New shoes were a revolution. Gravel was to be thrown into the air with glee. And dirt clods, oh joy, they explode on impact. Bugs were emissaries from the New World. A water hose was a direct link to the fountain of youth. Booosh! Rainbows were not trite, they were miraculous. It was shocking and horrid when you skinned your knee. But was it not also fascinating? Scabs, hmmm? Pick away. I cherish the honesty of children. They tell it like it is. Chesterton is right on:

Children demand justice because they know they are innocent.
Adults hope for mercy, because they know they are guilty.

5 comments:

Molly/Cece said...

Whoa, I should have gotten over her before now. My computer is still on a slow boat to China, but I borrowing one today and am happy to drop by. I keep the golden rule close to my heart too. Anyway thanks for taking time to share some of your creative journey. :) Molly

Richard Jesse Watson said...

Nice to hear from you, Molly. Hope they at least give you a fortune cookie when your computer returns. In the mean time here's a Port Townsend fortune cookie. Crack, crunch, mmm tastie, vanilla? What does this slip of paper say? "You have a golden heart. You are cool and very smart, and kind and thoughtful and standing on the edge of tomorrow with all its promise. You know your source and your destination."

BJW said...

What's my fortune pa?

Let me guess...
"go mow your lawn before it's too late." and "get off the internet and get to work!" am I close?

Richard Jesse Watson said...

Also, "Be nice to your sister. Don't mix beer and wine, ever! "I" before "e"except after tea, although if your neighbor's buying, then its "e=mc Hammer".

BJW said...

I e except after tea... clever. And oh yeah,

Don't drive on the railroad tracks!