The Child in Me

There is a child in me,
That wants my nurturer,
My protector,
My shepherd!

I searched it in men,
and men have searched it in me,
I have looked for the guardian
and found the child...

Am I really a grown-up or I pretend to be one?
What is being a grown-up therein?
Is it hiding emotions or is it having none?
Is it burying the child within,
Inside the deep clouds of ego,
and building walls of pride around it?
Is it creating distances with distrust,
and boundaries with prejudice?

They say with age comes experience,
Yes, I try to avoid things and people
who have hurt me in the past.
They say with age comes maturity,
I try to take ups and downs in my stride,
And overcome my shortcomings while they last...

But would you really call me a grown-up?
Especially, if I tell you,
That the various shapes in clouds still amuse me,
I still like building castles with sand,
I love the wind beating on my face,
And I feel secure when I clutch a strong hand...

Have I really grown-up?
Maybe, I have,maybe, I haven't,
But do I really care?
My dearest friend.....
there's a secret I ll share...
I really love the child within,
even if it would try...
In this grown up world,
I would not let it die...