Perhaps innocence is being able to hope,
Despite the relentless uncertainty of life.
Not a bad definition at all!
I love this poem. Gorgeous language. If this just hopped out, you have some fabulous poetry chops.
Does anyone weather time without
Sacrificing innocence?
It has come full circle for me. When the time I had weathered found me in my breeding years, I'd lost innocence entirely. Raising my children via mainstream systems broke me and I had no time for hope, I had to fight just to keep my children alive.
Now that that struggle is no longer mine, I am better able to see how very simple things can be. Joy is always always always within reach. Hope has become palpable, a given.
I also love the hat!
Thank you for such a lovely comment! It's interesting you say it's come full circle for you. That's what one of my closest friends told me. She's maybe a decade my elder, and all but one of her kids are grown. She also has friends who are older than her and says they've all reclaimed themselves in their late 50s and 60s. Isn't it interesting how life has its cycles of change and rebirth?
I really appreciate you reading my poem, and taking the time to share your thoughts. 💖