School started yesterday another year to watch
children entering the schoolyard on a journey
to new worlds, new friends, new knowledge,
on the path to the future to adulthood.

Blessings to the children whatever their progress,
talents, acquired skills.

The age-old progress from infancy to adulthood
is poignant with memories of the road followed
I remember bad events easily, etched deeply
recalled often. Those times influence how I think
and act now in my old age though I bet
what I learned outside the classroom sticks
in memory more

What I learned on the playground, exploring this town
and valley, what I saw at home, how my mother
and father proceeded through their days.

I picked up pieces of knowledge where they lay,
floated in the air. I am the person today
because of these pieces gathered
and fitted together in my interpretation.

In my youth I could always return each evening
to a sheltering home.