Shimmer Child

by Kelley Atkinson Blodgett
No one is more alive than a child. Life that pulses in humility, courses through inhibition and overflows in laughter. I read once, ' a joyful heart does good like medicine.' If we could recapture humility and inhibition who knows how many ills would be healed and years added to our lives? Whether a long or short life, a joyful one would be more worth living. Without our various fears, who knows what we could attain? All young children believe in themselves. They are artists, singers, comedians with perfect delivery, chefs, veterinarians, athletes and achievers of all kinds.


What have my children taught me? Not to fear mistakes, that cuddling makes things okay, that a dirty face is gorgeous, that rain is fun, that an open field makes you smile as you run through it, that if a human can be so loving and forgiving that God must be far more so. In short, they have taught me how to live well and find happiness.


One day as I looked into my youngest daughter's honest and expressive blue eyes, I was overwhelmed with her precious innocence. I then wrote this poem that will always mean a great deal to me.

Shimmer Child
Look in pools of cool clear water
crystal blue my shimmering daughter.
Deep within reflects the light
my eyes they burn it is so bright.
Raised upon a mountain
closer to the sky
thus I do see heaven sparkle in her eyes.
Her fluid heart does tumble and roll
down hills through valleys to make me whole.
From pure water into fresh air,
rains down again upon my stare.
My ears affixed steadfast and long,
await the splash of her laughter song.
A pool of music in perfect rhyme,
drenching joy for which all climb.
I'll dive in and cleanse my mind,
emerge again more gentle and kind.
'Jump on in, the water's fine
indulge your heart and take your time.
Swim for joy and you will be
more like her and less like me.
Humble your heart be young again,
splash and play and sing in rain,
or stay ashore your prideful stand
while bones dry up upon dry land.
Jump on in the water's fine
indulge your heart, lose track of time.
Swim for joy and you will be
more like her and less like me.'
Look in pools of crystal water
cool clear blue my shimmering daughter.
Deep within reflects pure light,
my eyes they burn it is so bright
my eyes they weep she shines so bright.
Her light illumines and tells no lies
revealing the darkness in my eyes.
So I will wash, and scrub and clean
until the good of God, as in her is seen.

Copyright 2001 Kelley Atkinson Blodgett