4/12/2007

I have
heard about
this
kingdom of heaven
everywhere on earth
but unseen
except by
children
and those
who become like them
which exceeds
the reach
it seems
of many
kings and queens.
I wonder about
this place
what is there
and
which
childlike qualities
have to be emulated
to gain entry
for
a look around.
No one says
it is a prison
that
once admitted
you cannot leave
so
I have decided
it is worth
a look
to see if
it is all
it is
cracked up to be
which is where
the children
who apparently
hold the key
come in.
They are curious
and
ask many questions
which is something
we have in common
but
small too
and
easily injured
inside and out.
I have taken
some hits
I don’t mind admitting
that if
I had seen them coming
I would have
stepped aside for.
I could say
children
are innocent
which
in a manner
of speaking
they are
but ignorant
or inexperienced
may be closer
to the mark
again
much like myself
unfortunately
though I have
been around the block
often enough
to know what
the neighborhood
looks like
who lives where
and
something about
what each neighbor
is up to.
Children have
more energy
than I will ever
have again
and
most feel eternal
no matter what
they say
to the contrary
but
since there is
no way
I can
ever be
like that again
those cannot be
the childlike qualities
that
are indispensable.
If I
already have
what it takes
am like a child
in the requisite ways
then the key to
that other dimension
is already
in my hand
and
what I must do
is
give it a twist
in my imagination
for the door
in reality
to swing wide open.