Song for a Child

Another Unfinished Song Becomes a Poem Instead…

Nevermind the scholars

Nevermind what’s said

Mind your mother and your father

Though they won’t always know what’s best


Never lie, for starters

And never say, “It’s too hard”

Listen to the cricket 

Singing to the beat of your heart


Nevermind the castles 

Just make enough for bread

Let your adversaries eat cake

Never let them in your head


Nevermind the giant

He’s only just a man

When you see that you’re a lion

Be kind to all the lambs


Nevermind the preacher

The answers are inside

The reaper is a linguist 

Who survives on mourning tithes


Nevermind your teachers 

Learn what you truly want

The devil bears false witness

To everything you’re taught


It’s good to know a language 

In case you have something to say

It’s good to know some science

To know that everything will always change 


It’s good to know some history

So you don’t make the same dumb mistakes

It’s good to know mathematics 

To count the ones you make along the way


Give every moment your full attention

Always give more than you get

Don’t give anyone what they ask for

They’ll eat what they are fed


Take lots of chances

But do not become a fool

These are just some guidelines

Now go and make up your own rules