The Inner Child In Us Poem by Elizabeth Padillo Olesen

The inner child in you and me
Stays within us as we grow
As years bring us to our dawning time,
this inner child remains as a child
playing the joyful glee
of love, trust and acceptance.

The inner child in you and me
Is a shadow lurking in front and behind
In ups and downs in life
this inner child breaks in tantrums or cries
over fear or pain, so unbearable to bear
But giggles or bursts into laughter
over failures, jokes or childish talks.

The inner child in you and me
issues a contract with you and me:
To be happy as we can be
To trust and love without fear
To accept and forgive our own fragility.
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My poetic response to the title challenge of my co-poet, Susanne Rowell