Though the tang of life often bites the tongue,
Surprising the unwary with its spice,
It gives pause to the palate of the young,
Persuades them to sample a smaller slice.
For the little ones teethe on tasty tales,
Saccharine stories and sweet fantasies,
That leave out the unsavory details,
Of their candy-coated calamities.
Vary their penchant for syrupy fare,
Giving bitter and salty with control.
If they taste all of life with tender care,
Maybe they won’t try to swallow it whole.
Fantasy’s flavor is a honeyed treat,
But experience savors bittersweet.
Mick McKellar
February 2015
I believe there was some wisdom in the old fairy tales that often had scary villains and unpleasant consequences. It may have taught those of us lucky enough to hear and read them to be careful and exercise caution when taking a bite of life.
Mick
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