.
It's hard to break the learned behavior of adulting/avoiding puddles. To answer your question, I do, on occasion, splosh to get a giggle out of my grandchildren as we walk the paths in the park.
I want to think like Mark does that this is a children's poem for adults, but can't quite get there yet. Perhaps my adult defenses are up.
It's neither here nor there, but I wondered about the word "Can" to open the poem vs. the word "Do". I don't know why I even bring it up, but I do : )
I have been accused from time to time of being sentimental and naive. This poem actually calls on the reader to re-engage with their sentimentality and naivety. It reaches back to that sweet spot in time when a puddle was not an obstacle.
I don't mind wet socks. They can be quickly changed. What I do regret is that constant loss of innocence that Blake talks about. I would go back in a heartbeat to be more innocent in my interactions with life. I have no desire to conquer anything. No need to tame the wild world. I would rather head off in the opposite direction and explore the puddles you mention.
.
|