And so it was and more

Hanging out in the raspberry bush

Laying with the warm earth

The drifting clouds told me stories

My happy, alone space

I think I was three

~*~

Looking out of the train window

Crying with the rain

I never wanted to move

Sinking into my first loss

I know I was four

~*~

Beside Cherry Lake was my new home

Crossing the waters to the distant shore

With big brother rowing

To pick wild strawberries

An adventure to fill my memory with joy

When the lake froze, I learned to skate

But big brother was hit in the forehead

With a hockey puck gone astray

And a little voice cried that he might die

My first fear of death

I was five

~*~

Then the flood came

Neighbouring houses were swept away

Ours was spared, but the floor slanted sideways on the edge of a cliff

I was afraid to go to sleep

Until the house was moved to my next life adventure

I was six

~*~

School started and new friends filled my days

I learned French easily with the praise of my nun

The love of playing the piano brought music into my life

Then one day, while waiting outside for my lesson to start

I made a bad choice

Writing my name on the convent wall

Next day, I fell into disgrace

My first experience with shame

On my knees, crying for forgiveness

I was spared the strap, maybe because I was so young

Fear of authority entered my heart

I think I was seven

~*~

I started to gain weight

Kept to myself

My swing was my happy place

The little girl had changed

Learned some hard lessons

With many more to experience

And a second move coming

I was eight

~*~

V.J.’s theme: Childhood https://onewomansquest.org/2019/09/02/v-j-s-weekly-challenge-62-child-childhood/