The heart of a child

Little Aleks with his sunshine smile,
built castles high for just a while.
Seashells clattered with clickety-clack,
as pirates searched for treasures on his back.
But with each new birthday, his world unfurled,
lessons whispered by a breeze that swirled.

His toybox friends, they held court each day,
sharing secrets in their old, dusty way.
The bear, with patches and a lopsided ear,
taught kindness and how to conquer fear.
Books were portals to faraway places,
with princesses bold and curious faces.

Kites took wing in the wide open sky,
while paper planes dared to soar so high.
Muddy puddles, like mirrors so bright,
reflected clouds in the warm summer light.
And as laughter faded into sighs so deep,
the aches of growing chased away his sleep.

His legs grew long, those once-chubby knees,
no longer scraped when climbing trees.
Bike rides stretched for miles so bold,
exploring paths where new stories were told.
First friends, first crushes, first whispered dreams,
woven tales by moonlit streams.

Yet, in his heart, a child still played,
where dragons danced in a wondrous parade.
The unicorn grazed in the field of his mind,
a whimsical haven where solace he’d find.
And though growing up held adventures so bright,
the whispers of childhood never took flight.

As stars pricked the inky night,
and crickets chirped with all their might,
he’d gaze up above, and give a soft sigh,
knowing dreams on wings would always fly.
Childhood’s echoes, a sweet, gentle hum,
a forever song beneath the setting sun.

So while growing up has its magical way,
he’d hold on tight to moments of play.
For within each heart, where laughter resides,
a child forever dances and hides.
And as dreams weave a twinkling light,
childhood’s magic shines ever so bright.