My Happy Self........ Poem by RIC BASTASA

the child that goes to the river
to fish and then to swim

that goes to the hill and climb
mango trees and bring home a basket

that goes to the rice fields and
plays with his friends in the mud

that plays with the goats and the horses
in father's ranch

that spends time in the beach
gathering seashells under the sun

that spends more time playing with friends
hide and seek and chasing dragonflies

o what a happy self, what a happy child,
but that was before then.

now the adult is stern and serious and
responsible, leaving happiness behind.

on closed doors, and stuffed protocols
he shapes the uncertainties of his future.