Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LATCH UPON THE GATE by DOUGLAS MALLOCH

First Line: THE LITTLE HURTS OF CHILDHOOD SEEM SUCH LITTLE HURTS / TO US
Last Line: WE MUST GET DOWN AND CLIMB TO REACH THE LATCH UPON THE GATE.
Subject(s): CHILDREN; CHILDHOOD;
The little hurts of childhood seem such little hurts to us --
Such foolish things to cry about, such silly things to fuss.
We often smile at children's tears, alas, we often frown --
I wish that from our eminence we elders could get down,
Get down and walk the children's world where little things are great,
Down where you have to climb to reach the latch upon the gate.

The little hurts of childhood seem such little hurts to men;
That must be why we sear their souls with anger now and then.
When years have hardened us to ill we oftentimes forget
That plastic as creation's clay are all the children yet.
If we would find the children's hearts and lead the children straight
We must get down and climb to reach the latch upon the gate.



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