Childhood -- Frances Cornford

Guest poem submitted by Jaideep Krishnan:

(Poem #1867) Childhood I used to think that grown-up people chose To have stiff backs and wrinkles round their nose, And veins like small fat snakes on either hand, On purpose to be grand. Till through the banister I watched one day My great-aunt Etty's friend who was going away, And how her onyx beads had come unstrung. I saw her grope to find them as they rolled; And then I knew that she was helplessly old, As I was helplessly young. -- Frances Cornford

I love this poem because of its simplicity of expression. The narrative
point of view is that of a child who grows up in an instant of realisation.

Jaideep.