Wild

When you say “Girls are so much easier”,

and “Boys can be so wild!”

I say “I hope my boys are wild”

I hope they spend many happy years

Running barefoot in the garden,

Exploring the forest with sticks and leaves in their hair

I hope they know the feel of moss,

The smell of rain on leaves,

And the sound of the trees talking to each other.

I hope they believe in magic,

And that they name the fairies, insects and forest creatures

Among their friends.

I hope they grow tall and strong,

Like beautiful, flowering weeds.

I hope they thrive and spread life wherever they go

Like ivy climbing over a rock wall.

I hope they always long for greenery, and wide open spaces.

I hope they never forget they were born from the earth,

And raised in the arms of the forest

You say “wild” like it’s a bad thing.

I say, I can think of nothing more lovely to wish for them.

I hope my boys are wild.