The Barefoot Boy
The past couple days we studied the poem The Barefoot Boy by John Greenleaf Whittier. My barefoot boy relates.
O! for boyhood’s painless play,
Sleep that wakes in laughing day,
Health that mocks the doctor’s rules,
Knowledge never learned of schools:
Of the wild bee’s morning chase,
Of the wild flower’s time and place,
Flight of fowl, and habitude
Of the tenants of the wood…For, eschewing books and tasks,
Nature answers all he asks;
Hand in hand with her he walks,
Face to face with her he talks
Part and parcel of her joy.
Blessings on thee, barefoot boy!
After carefully sketching Boys in a Pasture by Winslow Homer, he said,
Mom, I think I’m missing something in all the technology.
Now I’m not exactly sure what the “all” in his statement refers to since the extent of his technology is a computer game and the beginnings of a blog, but I suspect that even in his limited game time he senses the enticement. Immersion in a make-believe world cannot fill full the yearning of his heart for something more, something real. The longing is in my heart, too.
I feel it when I glance at the clouds, or see the stars. The universe is awesome. I hear it when the birds sing outside my window. Their gentle song reminds me to worship while I burrow in my bed. I see it when we stroll around the neighborhood. Thin blades of daffodils peek out of the ground giving hope for spring.
The small things beckon to be observed. The soothing beauty of creation pleads to be enjoyed. It is time to explore the wilderness. The woods in the park will suffice. We don’t need to go far, but we have to go.
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~Renae Deckard
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hey, I studied this one at school. You’ve made me want to go find my old school books. way to go
I think that getting out there is one of the great advantages that homeschooling offers our family. The hours between 8:00 and 3:30 are ours to explore. I am thankful that my children get to see more wood during the day than that which was used to make a school desk.
Raddie,
I don’t remember studying many poems. That’s one of the reasons I like homeschooling. I get to learn along with my kids.
Life On The Planet,
That is so true. My husband discovered that the soccer park near us has a Frisbee golf course set up in the woods. There is so much to explore there. After we spotted a woodpecker, crossed the “river,” and dug in the sand, I realized that I need to stop being such a homebody.
Spring is coming! I have hope. What a lovely poem; I like “Nature answers all he asks.” I know it’s not so simple as stepping out in a field of flowers and having all your deep problems solved, but still, God does have a way of clearing my head when I’m out of doors.
oh yeah, last year english Literature.
and year eight was australian poetry. in English studies.
Jennifer,
Yes, I agree. Letting my children run around out doors all day will not give them a complete education, but the opportunity to observe what is around them in an unhurried way is a blessing. I am delighted when my son runs in to tell me what he’s found in the backyard and a few breaths of fresh air revives my spirit, too.
I wish I had more space for my kids to branch out. We live in a typical suburban “cookie cutter” neighborhood with barely a 1/4 acre and the ability to wave to my neighbors in their kitchen, LOL!
Granted we were not forced to buy this house, but now I wish we would have reconsidered wanting to live so close to everyone else! I am blessed to have the home I do, but we have to get past the carefully manicured lawns and professional flower beds (NOT OURS!) to find a tree that was not commissioned by the township! :-)
Thanks for the reminder that once spring hits we need to find some good green grass, rocks, woods and maybe a stream to play around!
Angel,
I long to move to the country, too. We have almost 1/2 an acre, but there is nothing on it except weeds and grass. My hope is to put in at least a tiny garden this year. Sunshine wants to plant strawberries and sunflowers. Sounds good to me!
As a mom of 3 boys, this brought tears to my eyes! I love my barefoot boys! And that’s exactly how they play and run, barefoot… I’m so blessed. Thank you for sharing this poem Renae. I’ve never read it before. Summer
[...] delightful reflections on The Barefoot Boy posted at Life Nurturing [...]
Summer,
Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed it. I think I enjoyed this poem more than my son. Be sure to read the rest. The whole poem is a touching tribute to youth and the play of boys.
Loved your post! I live on 2 1/4 acres, but on a state highway. I’ve found a lane to walk that leads to another grassy one, and in the summer, there’s even a “meadow”-like area with some interesting stray flowers besides the requisite daisies! It’s not what I pictured as an “ideal”, but once I quit worrying about perfection, all of a sudden my eyes were opened to the beauty around me!
I’ll have to look up the whole poem–my boys are only 3 and 1, but I have 7 “barefoot girls” that would enjoy the poem! ; )
Thanks again!
“We don’t need to go far, but we have to go.” I like that!
Just wanted to let you know we linked to this article in the March issue of Learning in the Great Outdoors. Thanks!
http://aloneonalimb.blogspot.com/2008/03/learning-in-great-outdoors-10.html
Thanks for contributing this post to this week’s Carnival of Family Life, hosted at This Full House. Be sure to stop by on Monday, March 10, 2008, and support your fellow participants by checking out all of their wonderful contributions.
I’ve always really liked that poem. :-) Lovely post!