for my foreign readers.

When as a child,
I laughed,
the world transformed into a cheerful circus
and all the people clumsy clowns!

When as a child
I wept,
my life was an overwhelming ocean
whirling waves sweeping me up and down!

The laughter,
the tears
all but temporary hurdles
in my path of innocence then.

Today,
when I laugh
I laugh less at myself
more at others.

Today,
when I weep
my tears drown
others too in my real or imagined grief.

How I wish I was that child again,
laughing and crying all at once
enjoying life as it was meant to be
for all to share.