Sir Barry did so wisely say
Children should be always gay,
Innocent and heartless. He was
Right. For well do I remember
How we laughed at other children
Who wore glasses, had big ears
Or walked haphazardly. And heartlessly
We teased the cats and dogs;
Ever protecting ourselves with
Wide-eyed lying, feigned innocence
And easy conscience born
Of freedom for our little egos;
Lacking social inhibitions,
Always gay! But then we grew
Into our awkward adolescence.
That tragic era had our laughter
Pinioned; and we felt unhappiness
So keenly for a person with
Defects. Or a country or a world
That could not be Utopia.

And we did march and stand on
Principle. Super-sensitive
We bled for all of this great
Universe that had a fault.
So dedicated to the creed of right;
Fairness, kindness, mercy and
Equality for all, we found ourselves
Quite grown into our adult minds.
And gaiety burst through once more.
(I still remember how my parents
Sighed in their relief. It had been
A trying time. They said: "She was
Always such a happy little thing.
But let us hope she will turn out
All right when grown! That this will be
but A stupid teenage fancy.")
Oh, we are safe and happy now,
For gaiety burst through once more.
We have our lives to lead, and if,
I don't look out for me, who will?

That one, or this, who can't see
Where he's going; I shan't stop
To guide him. Let him fall
With all the rest of lesser beings. It
Is only fit. We must survive,
And compromise with people and the world.
So in maturity we have learned
How to live aright.
Look here --that child, poor thing,
Bless his little heart. He is
So sweet; but thank God
My young ones have not
Those ears. (Actually,
They are quite ludicrous.
Don't you agree?)