I'll never laugh at a child
after they share a little song
they wrote themselves when it
sounds pretty serious and good.
I've received giggles out of a
discomforting moment.
I wasn't old enough to know I
was getting away.
Fleeing from misunderstood ones
and fighting to not have to all
be the same.
If a child came to me and asked me to hear
their song I'll nod my head, say yes,
and sit while listening with undivided
attention.
Sitting down to listen to their beloved
young lyrics reminds me that
you only get one childhood.
Children who write songs
don't know what they know.
They don't know that the
reason they feel happy afterward
is because songwriting is their key.
They don't know that the reason for feeling
embarrassed from being laughed at
is these are feelings translated to written words.
Folks don't know
that laughing at a child for singing
is refusing to let their key unlock
their uncertainty.
We'll all learn to listen and enjoy
one day
despite how young
and lack of skill an artist
may be.
How about a round of
applause?