Star Children

Many years ago, perhaps even thirty years ago, in a notebook of favorite writing, I saved the poem that follows. The words still speak to my heart.,


A child should fill himself up with stars.
They will shine for him years later
in the darkest night. They will
fortify him
against all grayness and bleakness --
against the humdrum of the
world's
old round-and-round. A child
can never have too many stars.

And if there are elves in the grape
arbor
on scented summer nights
or fireflies flashing signals
in the honeysuckle vines,
so much the better.

But most of all there should be
stars --
their clustered promises of further
light
blazing reassurance
to all puzzled children
through whatever night.

Doris Kerns Quinn
Christian Science Monitor

Posted by Marylee Manson Armour
September 2, 2007